The Rada Debates Limiting Mobile Phone Use Amid Shahed Drone Strikes

In light of the increasing threat from Russian kamikaze drones, the Verkhovna Rada is considering measures such as temporarily disabling mobile internet in specific regions and enforcing mandatory identification of mobile phone users, according to Oleksandr Fedienko, Head of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity.

This is reported by BBC Ukraine.

According to the deputy, a special working group has already been created based on the subcommittee with the participation of representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, counterintelligence, mobile operators, and industry experts. The goal is to develop technical and legal mechanisms that will make it impossible for Russian drones to use Ukrainian mobile infrastructure.

“If the military says that it is necessary to turn off fragments of the network — for example, the Internet in the area of activity of the Shahed — we will consider it. The main thing is to make it difficult for drones to transmit video and metadata, to knock them off the route,” explained Fedienko.

In parallel, mandatory identification of mobile phone users is being discussed, as currently over 80% of subscribers remain completely anonymous — this is about 25 million SIM cards that are not tied to any document.

“I’m not saying that a ‘SIM card with a passport’ is needed. But identification must be implemented — using any available technologies,” the deputy noted.

According to previous agreements, the working group’s final recommendations should be adopted in the coming days. However, the details will remain classified, as Russia is closely monitoring Ukrainian initiatives in the field of cybersecurity.

At the same time, not all experts agree on the necessity of such steps. Electronic warfare specialist Serhii Beskrestnov noted that mobile communications themselves are not used to directly control the Shahed. However, he acknowledged that mobile Internet can help drones transmit data, navigate in space, and coordinate actions.

Opponents of the idea of restrictions believe that turning off mobile communications will make life difficult for ordinary citizens, but will not be a decisive factor in the fight against drones. Some military experts also argue that the mobile network is an auxiliary, but not critical, tool for adjusting the actions of drones.

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