Ukraine wants to suspend mobile telephony
Ukraine examines the introduction of temporary restrictions on mobile services with the objective of disrupting Russia’s use of Ukrainian mobile networks to collect information during increasingly intense attacks, according to the Defense Commission of the Ukrainian Parliament, the EFE agency reports on Tuesday.
Long -range Russian drones, including Shahed Iranian, are increasingly equipped with Ukrainian SIM cards to collect and transmit essential data during flights, Ukrainian experts analyzed the wrecks of drones. This information helps Russia to improve its drone operations and the efficiency of the attacks.
The Defense Commission of the Parliament in Kiev, in a meeting held last Friday attended by representatives of the army, secret services and mobile operators, discussed measures to counteract this threat. Among the main proposals discussed are the temporary closure of the mobile telephony network in the target areas of enemy drones during air raid alerts and the mandatory identification of all mobile subscribers to prevent anonymous purchase of SIM cards.
Ukrainian authorities first detected the equipment of Russian drones with SIM cards a year and a half ago. In the meantime, the problem has gained greater attention, as the number of drones launched by Russia has increased, reaching a record of 2,315 only from the beginning of this month, and their ability to avoid Ukrainian air defense has also increased.
Russian drones are often equipped with several SIM cards issued by different Ukrainian operators, in order to switch to the one that offers the best connection.
In order to combat drones, in addition to the air defense systems used to break them, Ukraine also uses electronic warfare, including the technique called ‘GPS spoofing’, a technology that hijaches drones through interference in their correct GPS coordinates, so that drones fall from random.
There is currently no evidence to suggest that Russia uses the connection offered by SIM cards to avoid air defense and handling drones in real time. However, SIM cards allow Russian drones to collect valuable data on their exact location, loss of signal and disruption of navigation, allowing Russia to locate Ukrainian anti -aircraft systems, including electronic war systems, to adjust flight routes, the altitude at which drones and tactics fly for future attacks.
The Defense Commission of the Ukrainian Parliament has stated ‘practical measures’ to address this issue, but did not provide details because of its sensitivity. However, a measure taken into account is the mandatory identification of all mobile subscribers. Unlike Russia, Ukraine continues to purchase anonymous SIM cards, so Russian agents can get them in large quantities for drone operations.
However, some experts note that there is the possibility of circumventing controls and, in addition, Russia could move to foreign cards, so they urge a concentration on technological solutions. Other experts suggest that mobile phone operators could detect and disconnect suspect users moving at high speeds, a hint of drone activity. However, operators have told Ukrainian press that they can disconnect only groups of users in certain areas, not individual devices. On the other hand, any restriction should balance the need to fight drones with ensuring vital civil and military needs.
Russia is already using similar tactics, deactivating the mobile internet and limiting other mobile services during attacks with Ukrainian drones on its territory.
