Russia May Use Mesh Relays in Kyiv to Steer Drones, Adviser Says

Russian officials suspect that ground-based mesh-network repeaters may be deployed within Kyiv to offer real-time remote control over Shahed strike drones. This capability could enable Russian operators to adjust flight vectors and target high-value assets during attacks, according to Serhii Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian presidential adviser on defense technology.

Beskrestnov, who shared his theories on Facebook, claimed that such clandestine repeaters could be found in the capital, potentially numbering between one to three. He cautioned that electronic warfare shielding would prove ineffective as long as these repeaters remain operational. While this hypothesis remains unconfirmed, technical specialists are investigating drone wreckage, yet have not found onboard communication modules confirming real-time pilot control.

Recent precision strikes against Kyiv’s transit bridges and air defense positions support the notion of Russian loitering munitions possessing real-time guidance capabilities. Beskrestnov noted that if ground repeaters function beyond jamming shields, mobile air defense gun crews could face critical counter-battery risks from these munitions with terminal course corrections.

A prominent case supporting this hypothesis is the Sept. 4 drone strike against the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) headquarters in central Kyiv. Technical tracking of the incident revealed no secondary Russian drones aiding the strike, suggesting ground-level signal conduits were used for manual flight adjustments. The targeted office of SBU Chief Oleksandr Poklad suffered injuries, fires, and structural damage, demonstrating the potential impact of these advanced drone technologies.