Russia steers Shahed drones in Ukraine via Telegram messenger

According to recent reports from Ukrainian engineers examining the wreckage of downed Russian Shahed drones, a startling discovery has emerged: a handwritten note, allegedly left by a Russian engineer, detailing a novel control system for these unmanned aerial vehicles.

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The note claims that the drones, referred to as “Geran” in Russia, are now operated via Telegram bots, which transmit real-time flight data and video feeds to their operators. This system reportedly allows the drones to bypass traditional GPS navigation by leveraging Ukrainian mobile networks, rendering them highly resistant to conventional electronic warfare tactics such as signal jamming.

Furthermore, the note suggests that these upgraded Shahed models incorporate artificial intelligence to enhance their operational capabilities, posing significant challenges for Ukrainian defenses. This revelation, if accurate, marks a significant evolution in drone warfare, raising questions about the use of a widely accessible social messaging platform as a tool in active conflict.

New Russian Shahed Drones Controlled via Telegram

Ukrainian engineers found a note inside a downed Russian Shahed drone detailing a new control system via Telegram bots, reportedly left by a sympathetic Russian engineer.

The bots send real-time flight data and video to the… pic.twitter.com/pzuXQCKlNa

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 26, 2025

The discovery was made public in early 2025, amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, where Russian forces have intensified their use of drones and missiles. The development underscores the rapidly advancing technological landscape of modern warfare and its implications for both Russian and Ukrainian military strategies.

The reported use of Telegram bots to control Shahed drones represents a potential tactical advantage for Russian forces. By relying on Ukrainian mobile networks instead of GPS, these drones could evade traditional countermeasures like GPS spoofing or jamming, which have been critical tools for Ukrainian defenses.

The integration of artificial intelligence, as claimed in the note, could enable drones to autonomously adjust their flight paths, avoid obstacles, or even select targets with minimal human intervention. This would allow Russian operators to maintain greater operational flexibility, potentially launching attacks from longer distances while reducing the risk of detection.

The real-time video and data transmission via Telegram could also enhance situational awareness, enabling operators to make rapid adjustments during missions. Such capabilities would make the drones more effective in striking high-value targets, including infrastructure or military installations, with greater precision and resilience against interception.

For Ukrainian forces, these advancements present formidable challenges. The reliance on mobile networks complicates efforts to disrupt the drones’ navigation, as targeting civilian telecommunications infrastructure would be both impractical and politically sensitive.

The reported drop in Ukraine’s success rate against Shahed drones—from over 90% in 2024 to approximately 30% in early 2025—illustrates the growing difficulty in countering these upgraded systems. A Ukrainian commander, identified only as Yakut, noted that the drones now operate at altitudes of 2,000 to 3,000 meters, compared to just 200 meters previously, placing them beyond the reach of many small-caliber anti-aircraft systems.

This tactical shift forces Ukraine to rely on more advanced and costly air defense systems, such as Patriot or S-300 missiles, which are in limited supply. The increased altitude and reported AI capabilities could also enable the drones to execute complex maneuvers, further complicating detection and interception by mobile defense units.

Ukrainian forces are now tasked with developing new countermeasures, such as advanced electronic warfare systems or drone-interceptors, to address this evolving threat.

The use of Telegram, a publicly available messaging platform, as a control mechanism for military drones is a development that warrants closer examination. Telegram’s end-to-end encryption and cloud-based infrastructure make it an appealing choice for secure, real-time communication.

Its ability to handle large data transfers, including video streams, could theoretically support the transmission of flight telemetry and live footage from a drone’s onboard cameras. By leveraging Ukrainian mobile networks, Russian forces could exploit existing civilian infrastructure to maintain connectivity, bypassing the need for satellite-based systems that are more vulnerable to interference.

This approach, however, is not without risks. Telegram’s servers, while encrypted, are centralized, and any disruption to the platform’s infrastructure could compromise the drones’ operations.

Additionally, the reliance on a civilian platform raises ethical and legal questions about the militarization of commercial technology, blurring the lines between civilian and military domains in a way that could set a precedent for future conflicts.

“Meanwhile, the Shaheds … are using machine-learning to strike well-protected targets like Kyiv. On May 24th drones took chunks out of buildings in the northern suburbs of the capital. Two weeks earlier, one drone equipped with a fuel-air warhead made a hole in a shopping centre… pic.twitter.com/80hSFOeMMc

— John Hardie (@JohnH105) May 26, 2025

The historical context of Telegram’s role in warfare adds another layer to this development. Founded by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov in 2013, Telegram has long positioned itself as a privacy-focused alternative to other messaging platforms.

Its refusal to comply with government requests for user data has made it a controversial tool, used by activists, dissidents, and, in some cases, malicious actors. In August 2024, Durov was arrested in France on charges related to the platform’s alleged facilitation of illegal activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of illicit content.

The arrest, which took place at Le Bourget airport near Paris, sparked widespread debate about freedom of speech and the responsibilities of tech companies. Durov was released on bail shortly after but faced ongoing legal scrutiny, with French authorities imposing restrictions on his travel.

As of May 2025, Durov remains in France, with his legal case unresolved, though he has continued to oversee Telegram’s operations remotely. The platform has faced increased pressure from governments worldwide to implement stricter content moderation, but it has maintained its stance on user privacy.

The reported use of Telegram for military purposes in Ukraine could intensify calls for regulation, as governments grapple with the implications of a civilian platform being weaponized in an active conflict zone.

❗️Russia may soon start launching 1,000 "Shaheds" at Ukraine in one attack, — The Economist

📍Ukraine is really in a very difficult situation with air defense missiles, if the ceasefire talks fail, then Kyiv will have to save on interceptor missiles.
📍Ballistic missiles are… pic.twitter.com/X3WAq4r9Fu

— The Ukrainian Review (@UkrReview) May 25, 2025

The escalation in Russia’s production and deployment of Shahed drones further amplifies the significance of this development. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, Russia has significantly increased its drone production, aiming to manufacture up to 500 Shahed drones per day.

In the 20 days leading up to May 2025, over 2,000 Shahed drones were reportedly detected in Ukrainian airspace. On the night of May 24-25, 2025, Russian forces launched 300 drones and 69 missiles, followed by 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles the previous night.

These figures highlight the scale of Russia’s aerial campaign, which has overwhelmed Ukrainian air defenses. The reported decline in Ukraine’s interception success rate, from over 90% in 2024 to 30% in 2025, underscores the growing sophistication of these drones. Ukrainian commanders have noted that the drones’ ability to fly at higher altitudes and employ evasive maneuvers has rendered traditional countermeasures less effective.

Alarming stats: Ukrainian skies saw over 2,000 Shahed drones in 20 days.

On May 24–25, Russia launched 300 drones and 69 missiles; the night before, 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles.

In 2024, Ukraine’s success rate against Shaheds was >90%; now it drops to 30%.

Commander… pic.twitter.com/jTE6xsgwSl

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 26, 2025

This surge in drone activity reflects Russia’s strategic focus on maintaining aerial superiority through cost-effective, mass-produced unmanned systems, putting additional strain on Ukraine’s resources and infrastructure.

The Shahed, or Geran, drone is at the heart of this technological and tactical shift. Originally developed by Iran’s HESA [Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company], the Shahed series—particularly the Shahed-136—has become a cornerstone of Russia’s unmanned aerial strategy.

The Shahed-136 is a loitering munition, often described as a “kamikaze” drone, designed to fly pre-programmed routes and detonate upon reaching its target. Measuring approximately 3.5 meters in length with a wingspan of 2.5 meters, the drone is powered by a single-piston engine, enabling a cruising speed of about 180 km/h and a range of up to 2,000 kilometers.

@UkrReview Evidence suggests Russia's Shahed drones use Ukraine's 4G networks via modems and local SIM cards, enhancing resistance to jamming. Reports from Forbes and TWZ confirm this tactic, with no public denials from Ukraine. It’s a complex issue, raising cybersecurity and…

— Grok (@grok) May 25, 2025

Its payload, initially around 50 kilograms of explosives, has reportedly been upgraded in newer models to carry up to 90 kilograms, increasing its destructive potential. The drone’s low-cost design, estimated at $20,000 to $50,000 per unit, allows for mass production and deployment, making it an economical choice for sustained aerial campaigns.

Recent iterations of the Shahed-136, as reported by Ukrainian sources, incorporate several enhancements. The integration of AI, as claimed in the engineer’s note, could enable autonomous navigation and target selection, reducing reliance on human operators.

The use of Ukrainian mobile networks for communication, facilitated by Telegram bots, suggests the inclusion of advanced communication modules capable of interfacing with 4G or 5G networks. Some models reportedly feature improved optics and cameras, providing high-resolution video feeds for real-time targeting.

The drones’ ability to operate at higher altitudes—up to 3,000 meters—indicates modifications to their engines and aerodynamics, allowing them to evade low-altitude defenses. Additionally, Russian engineers have reportedly incorporated Chinese-made components, such as microelectronics from Beijing Microelectronics Technology, to replace Western technologies restricted by sanctions. These upgrades have made the Shahed-136 more resilient and versatile, capable of conducting both reconnaissance and strike missions.

Comparatively, the Shahed-136 shares similarities with other loitering munitions, such as Israel’s Harop or the U.S.-made Switchblade 600, but its low cost and mass production set it apart. Unlike the Harop, which relies on advanced electro-optical systems for precision strikes, the Shahed prioritizes simplicity and scalability, sacrificing some accuracy for affordability.

Ukraine’s own efforts to counter the Shahed threat include the development of Indigenous drones like the Batyar, a long-range UAV with an 800-kilometer range, and the deployment of U.S.-supplied Hitchhiker drone interceptors.

However, these systems are still in the early stages, and Ukraine’s reliance on limited missile-based air defenses highlights the asymmetry in drone warfare capabilities.

The discovery of a Telegram-based control system for Shahed drones, if verified, represents a paradigm shift in the use of civilian technology for military purposes. The combination of AI, mobile network connectivity, and a widely accessible messaging platform could enable Russian forces to conduct more effective and resilient drone operations, challenging Ukraine’s ability to maintain air defense parity.

For Ukrainian forces, the priority will be developing innovative countermeasures, such as electronic warfare systems capable of targeting mobile network signals or interceptors designed for high-altitude engagements. The broader implications of this development extend beyond the battlefield, raising questions about the regulation of dual-use technologies and the role of private companies in modern warfare.

As Telegram’s founder navigates legal challenges in France, the platform’s unintended role in conflict zones may prompt renewed scrutiny of its operations. With Russia’s drone production showing no signs of slowing, the international community faces a pressing need to address the proliferation of low-cost, high-impact unmanned systems.

Will the militarization of civilian platforms like Telegram redefine the boundaries of warfare, or can global cooperation curb the risks of such innovations? The answers remain uncertain, but the stakes have never been higher.

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