Note found in downed Shahed hints at new control system, Ukraine comments
Photo: A note about a new way of controlling Shahed UAVs was found in the downed drone (Getty Images)
Russian drones have received a new control algorithm via Telegram bots. Ukrainian engineers discovered a note inside one of the drones, The Economist and the Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, report.
In one of the latest Russian Shahed drones shot down over Ukraine, Ukrainian engineers made an unexpected discovery - a note, presumably left by one of the Russian developers.
It mentioned a new drone control algorithm, with the UAVs now operating based on artificial intelligence and bypassing Ukrainian counter-drone defenses.
As The Economist reports, Ukrainian specialists also found that the new Shahed models are nearly immune to electronic warfare systems because they do not rely on GPS. They are guided by artificial intelligence and use Ukraine's mobile networks to transmit information.
Colonel Denys Smazhny, a Ukrainian officer in the Air Defense Forces stated that the drones now maneuver at altitudes of 2,000–2,500 meters, avoiding small-caliber guns and bypassing mobile air defense groups.
Because of this, Ukraine is forced to deploy helicopters, F-16 fighter jets, and new interceptor drones, which are already showing effectiveness.
Despite this, Kyiv continues to shoot down about 95% of attacking drones. However, even the 5% that break through cause noticeable damage.
Reaction from Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation
According to the Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, the story about "notes in drones" and control via Telegram bots is "certainly something."
Kovalenko added that some Shaheds UAVs have been remotely operated using cameras since last year, and there's nothing sensational in that, as such drones are regularly shot down.
Shahed-136
Russian long-range Shahed-136 drones are now equipped with new 90-kg warheads - both domestically produced and of Iranian origin.
According to the Ukrainian news portal Defense Express, citing its own sources and photos, both versions are significantly more powerful than the standard 50-kilogram munitions.
