Ukraine has dismantled the mesh network used by Russian Shahed missiles in the north of the country, which has had a positive impact on the defense capability of Kyiv and central Ukraine. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his adviser, Sergei Flesh Beskrestnov, announced this during a meeting with journalists, according to Apostrophe. PromPolitInform reports.
Commenting on the minister’s statement, Beskrestnov said that the mesh radio network on the Shahed missiles is essentially radio modems that not only receive and transmit signals, but also act as a repeater and amplifier for each other.
“With this setup, all Shahed missiles in the air are linked by radio. As a result, it is possible to shoot down several Shahed missiles without losing contact; it will simply redirect through other Shahed missiles,” he noted. He added that although the Shaheds are connected via modems, there must be starting points from which the internet command and control channel reaches the Russian Shahed and Gerber operators. It would be advantageous to place such points on high masts, 70-90 meters high, somewhere near the Ukrainian border, and use powerful antennas aimed at Ukraine.
“Such high communication points in enemy territory emit radio signals that our signals intelligence can detect from our territory. We can triangulate the signal and say that it is 100% emanating from a certain location,” Beskrestnov explained.
Such points operated from Russia and the occupied territories, but also from Belarus, which was unexpected. Several such points were discovered in Belarus, and they served Shaheds in different parts of Ukraine.
“For example, one point reached Kyiv with a signal, and reconnaissance UAVs flying over Kyiv used it to transmit data. Another point supported Shahed missile attacks on western Ukraine, specifically on the Kyiv-Kovel railway. Of course, we didn’t remain silent while Shahed missiles were being controlled from the territory of the Republic of Belarus,” the Defense Ministry adviser stated.
As reported, Fedorov also stated that Ukraine is critically short of PAK-3 missiles for its air defense systems, but the country has the potential to independently produce anti-ballistic missile systems.
