Russian jet-powered drones use the same route to Kyiv, officials explain why
Russian Federation launches drone attacks on Kyiv along the same route (photo: Getty Images)
Russian jet-powered Shahed drones are heading toward Kyiv along the same route—following the border with Belarus. Russia may be using Belarusian mobile networks for navigation, according to Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a freelance adviser to the president of Ukraine on defense technology development.
Why drones changed their trajectory
The expert says hundreds of jet-powered UAVs are avoiding a direct route to the capital and staying as close as possible to the neighboring country's border for as long as possible.
The main explanation for this unusual behavior is that the drones' equipment may be linked to Belarusian civilian communications infrastructure.
"I have come to the conclusion that the LTE modems on Shaheds are connecting to Belarusian mobile base stations when flying along this route," Serhii "Flash" said.
Russian drones target Kyiv along the same route (photo: facebook.com/Serhii.Flash)
He added that the theory of direct control via Belarusian MESH points is unlikely, since "the communication points operate much farther away than the border."
Russian new attack tactics
As previously reported, Russian forces have significantly changed their approach to producing and deploying drones during attacks on Ukrainian cities. In particular, their use has increased severalfold.
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, Russia is launching jet-powered drones at Kyiv in waves. The main goal of this tactic is to exhaust Ukraine's air defense system and paralyze the capital's vital functions through constant air raid alerts.
In addition, over the past few weeks, the number of jet-powered Shaheds that Russia has launched at Ukraine has surged in a single month.
The Russian military-industrial sector is operating at an accelerated pace, meaning Russia is launching jet-powered drones at Ukraine almost straight off the production line, without keeping them in storage for long periods.
