People’s deputies against drones: Ukraine discusses disconnecting mobile communications during attacks
2 June 2025 16:56
ANALYSIS FROM 
The MPs are seriously concerned that the latest models of Russian drones are not affected by Ukraine’s electronic warfare system, as the drones no longer rely on GPS, are controlled by artificial intelligence and use Ukrainian mobile operators. And MPs plan to take the necessary measures at the legislative level, including disconnecting mobile operators during drone attacks. Komersant found out whether this will help in the fight against the Shahed.
Recently, MP Oleksandr Fediyenko wrote on his Facebook page that the Shaheds launched by the Russian Federation somehow “live” inside mobile operators when they fly over Ukrainian territory. And they can use both a plastic SIM card, e-SIM, and a software SIM (i.e., a virtual SIM not implemented on a physical chip), as well as fly using A-GPS. There is no point in installing CRPA antennas, which are quite expensive.
I don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, it explains why mobile operators in Russia turn off their networks during an alarm. I can’t say that this news is something new for me – the committee has been working on this issue for a long time. However, not all mobile operators are cooperating in communication and developing solutions to limit the use of the operator’s infrastructure by the Shahed,” Fediyenko said.
As for the mention of the Internet, it is rather a communication channel for transmitting certain information to the drone or receiving metrics from it with visualization in Telegram, the MP emphasized.
Written, but not the right thing
The basis for the statements was an article in The Economist magazine, which stated that Russian drones attacking Ukraine are controlled through Telegram bots. According to the publication, Russia is already using the sixth modification of the Shaheds. They use automated control to strike well-protected targets such as Kyiv.
One of the main concerns is how Russian UAVs are now controlled. The latest models are not afraid of Ukrainian electronic warfare. This is because they no longer rely on jamming GPS, are guided by artificial intelligence, and use their own internet as well as the mobile internet of Ukrainian operators.
The journalists also wrote that Ukrainian engineers recently found a note inside one of the dismantled drones, allegedly left by a Russian engineer who sympathizes with Ukraine. The note claimed that the drones are controlled by Telegram bots, which transmit flight data and video stream to the operator in real time.
The head of the National Security and Defense Council’s Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, actually refuted The Economist’s publication on the Shahed note. Regarding remote control, he noted that some Shahedas have been controlled in this way since last year – cameras were installed on them and they were controlled remotely. No sensation – they are still being shot down.
Drones do not have AI and do not transmit video via Telegram
Ukrainian specialist and consultant in the field of military radio technology, tech blogger Serhiy “Flash” was also surprised that a reputable publication had spread false information and set the record straight. According to the expert:
- russian Shaheds are not controlled in flight via Telegram and do not broadcast video via Ukrainian mobile networks;
- shaheds do not have artificial intelligence;
- they still fly based on satellite navigation signals, and they are not affected by electronic warfare;
- no one has ever found a single note from Alabuga from “friends-engineers from the Russian Federation”.
According to him, the Shaheds have a tracker that sends information about the location and flight data (speed, altitude). The data is transmitted via a Telegram bot. Mobile networks and SIM cards are used for transmission. SIM cards can be Russian, Ukrainian, or from other countries.
We find hundreds, if not thousands, of such modems and SIM cards in the debris. Realizing this, we do not allow the Shaheda to work through our mobile networks. Once again, the Shaheds are not remotely controlled, they do not have such functionality, they are just trying to transmit their location,” says Sergey “Flash”.
According to the radio technologist, dozens of agencies are studying the trophy Shahideen to the letter, and as soon as any changes occur, it is immediately reported. He emphasizes that UAVs have become more effective at attacking due to a change in tactics. And electronic warfare is now having a worse effect on drones because Russia is installing new CRPA antennas with 8-12 elements. And the video allegedly from the Shahed was shot in Sumy via Ukrainian mobile networks using a radio modem for direct communication with Russia.
And, as Serhiy “Flash” concludes, selling SIM cards with passports, as some activists and economists have already suggested, is nonsense. The enemy can buy at least a thousand SIM cards, for example, for residents of ORDLO. In the Russian Federation, they also buy SIM cards for homeless people, but at a higher price. Blocking Telegram channels will not bring the desired result either.
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Author – Alla Dunina
