Servicemen from the mobile air defence unit of the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces attend an overnight shift, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

KYIV, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Ukraine may intentionally reduce the quality of mobile communications during Russian drone attacks to stop the networks being used to coordinate strikes, Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Three and a half years into the war, Russia has ramped up drone attacks on Ukraine in recent months, enhancing its technology and increasing the number of drones deployed to maximise damage to strategic targets and key infrastructure.

“This is not a disruption of mobile communications, but rather a restriction on the quality of communications in certain areas, like a restriction on 4G and 5G communication,” Hnatov told Ukrainian online video channel Novyny Live.

“So that the modems they use on their unmanned aerial vehicles cannot access the internet of our communications operators,” he added.

Shutting down high-speed mobile internet makes sense in order to combat drones equipped with cameras that transmit images and require a 4G connection to operate, according to reports by local media.

Russia has frequently ordered mobile internet shutdowns to disrupt Ukrainian drone attacks during the war.

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