Russia controls FPV drones via mobile networks, Ukrainian SIMs – expert
The Russian army has begun controlling FPV drones using mobile communications (Photo: Serhiy Flash / Telegram)
Russian forces have started using mobile networks — including Ukrainian SIM cards — to control FPV drones dropped from larger UAVs, allowing operators in Russia to guide short flights, Defense Ministry technological adviser Serhii (Flash) Beskrestnov reported on Telegram on Feb. 18.
This is currently the simplest method for FPV control, and Russia adopted the tactic from Ukrainian forces.
"They figured out that FPV drones could be delivered to fixed-wing UAVs in places where mobile communication is good and stable, and then dropped onto targets," he said.
“Such a drone is controlled by an operator from Russia, and the flight time of the drone is literally minutes. Ukrainian SIM cards are used for these tasks, in particular.”
Ukraine is already working on countermeasures, though Beskrestnov noted Russia will keep trying to bypass protections.
Ukrainian Defense Forces also use mobile networks for strikes inside Russia, where Moscow responds with data transmission “quarantines” that prove ineffective.
One proposed solution is selling SIM cards only with passport registration and quantity limits to curb mass purchases by supporters sending cards to Russia.
“Will this be 100% effective? Of course not,” said Beskrestnov.
“In Russia, SIM cards have long been sold with passports, but it is not a problem to buy SIM cards from criminals or homeless people. Will it help in any way? Yes! Imagine that now any ‘awaiter’ can buy 3,000 cards without any problems and send them to the Russian Federation. Sales with passports will at least somehow limit the gigantic scale of this uncontrolled process."
Another option could be to shut down data transmission services, but these actions would be "painful for the country," he said.
Earlier, Flash warned that Russians had begun transporting FPV drones on Shaheds.
"I ask all anti-aircraft drone crews to pay attention to the possible presence of FPV on Shaheds. I ask all units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to take note of the information about new risks," he wrote.
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