Russia controls «Shahed» drones via Belarus: How the new deceptive tactic works and which regions are under threat

After losing access to the satellite internet service Starlink, Russian troops developed an alternative method to operate their drones. They now rely on so-called mesh communications, relying on towers located in Belarus.

This was explained by aviation expert, Air Force reserve officer and defense industry development director Anatolii Khrapchynskyi.

How the airborne «web» works

Previously, drones received commands directly via satellite. Now the system has changed. Special communication towers have been built in Belarus that interact only with Russian drones flying closest to the border.

Those first drones then act like routers distributing Wi-Fi signals. They pass the signal to other drones flying deeper into Ukraine, which relay it even further. This creates a kind of invisible «web» in which each drone maintains contact with the others. As a result, Russia can control «Shahed» drones even far from its own or Belarus borders.

How such drones can be jammed

The expert says simply shutting down mobile communications in border towns is not enough. Ukraine needs powerful electronic warfare systems to «blind» such drones.

«There is a need to resume development of the Pokrova electronic warfare system launched early in the full-scale invasion and to expand broadband suppression of communication channels so any nearby threat can be countered, ” Khrapchynskyi says.

He also says that numerous sensors — radars, microphones and specialized cameras — should be installed along borders and near critical infrastructure to detect threats early. Ukrainian developers already have potential countermeasures.

«We as manufacturers are actively working on tools capable of countering mesh communications. We are ready to offer such solutions to our military, ” he said.

According to the expert, the main issue remains the lack of a clear government plan for weapons producers. He cited the UK as an example, where authorities clearly set requirements and allocate funding.

«Look at the UK. The country said it needed ballistic missiles costing up to $1 million with a range of 600 km. Funding was allocated and developers tasked with producing them. In Ukraine, we often identify threats ourselves, propose solutions, test them successfully and then supply them to the armed forces, ” he said.

Because much depends on developers’ own initiative, different companies produce separate components such as antennas and batteries, which can be difficult to integrate.