Russian forces using hard-to-jam LTE-controlled drones in attacks on Zaporizhzhia – Voloshyn

06.06.2026 06:59

Ukrinform

This week, Russian forces began attacking the city of Zaporizhzhia with FPV drones. According to preliminary assessments, the attackers may be using LTE modems during these strikes, making the drones difficult to disrupt through electronic warfare.

This was reported on Facebook by the Defense Forces of the South, according to Ukrinform.

According to Spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn, the enemy is carrying out isolated attempts to use FPV drones directly against Zaporizhzhia. Due to the distance to the city, conventional strike drones are currently unable to operate effectively over most of the regional center.

“The range of a standard FPV drone does not allow it to fly 25–30 kilometers. At present, the enemy is located roughly 30 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia. Moreover, drone operators are not positioned directly on the front line but somewhat farther to the rear. An FPV drone, even a fiber-optic-controlled drone, cannot yet cover such a distance,” the Spokesperson said.

He added that Russian forces are constantly seeking to extend the operational range of their drones and are using them to strike logistics infrastructure and intimidate the civilian population.

“It is likely that during the current attacks Russian troops are using LTE modems, which are quite difficult to jam because doing so would require shutting down all communications for the civilian population. At a minimum, this would restrict citizens’ constitutional rights to use communication services,” the statement said.

The report notes that the Southern Group of Forces is implementing a range of measures to counter enemy kamikaze drones. Working closely with the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration and other components of Ukraine’s Defense Forces, and with the support of the country’s senior military leadership, the military is expanding their electronic warfare capabilities both around Zaporizhzhia and within the city itself.

As previously reported, Russian FPV drones began attacking Zaporizhzhia this week. Strikes have been recorded against residential buildings, administrative facilities, and public transport, including targets in the city center. Enemy drones have also deliberately targeted high-risk sites such as gas stations, causing additional danger to civilians.