Based on the information available, here's what can be said about the recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian strategic bombers:
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Simultaneous Attacks: Reports indicate that Ukraine launched a significant number of drones (around 117 in the June 1-2, 2025 attack) targeting multiple Russian airbases simultaneously. Some sources mention four airbases, while others suggest five. These bases were located in various regions of Russia, some at considerable distances from Ukraine.
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Smuggling of Drones: Ukrainian sources have stated that the drones were smuggled into Russia using trucks. They were reportedly hidden in wooden mobile cabins with remotely operated roofs, allowing them to be launched unexpectedly.
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Drone Operation:
- Ukrainian President Zelensky mentioned that each of the 117 drones launched on June 1-2 had its "own pilot," suggesting they were operated remotely.
- Sources within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) indicated that the roofs of the truck cabins were "remotely opened," and the drones then took off to strike. This also implies remote operation.
- Therefore, it seems these attacks did require operators.
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Operator Location and Autonomous Capabilities:
- The reports strongly suggest that the operators were likely located within Ukraine. The drones were smuggled into Russia, implying the launch points were relatively close to the targets within Russia's territory. The command signals would have been sent from Ukraine.
- While the initial flight and target acquisition might have been under operator control, some drones can have a degree of autonomy, especially in the final stages of an attack, to ensure they reach their target even if communication is disrupted. However, the primary mode of operation in this case appears to be remote control.
In summary, the attacks on Russian strategic bombers likely involved remote operators located in Ukraine who guided the smuggled drones to their targets. While some level of autonomous capability might exist in certain attack drones, the described operation suggests a significant degree of real-time control by operators.
Q: how drone communicates with operator who is thousands kms away?
A:
You're right to ask about the communication over such long distances. When a drone operator is thousands of kilometers away, like in the scenario you described with Ukraine and targets in Russia, standard Wi-Fi or short-range radio communication won't work. Here are the primary ways drones can communicate with operators over such distances:
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Satellite Communication (SATCOM): This is a crucial method for very long-range drone operation.
- Drones equipped with SATCOM terminals can communicate directly with satellites orbiting the Earth.
- These satellites then relay the signals to ground control stations located thousands of kilometers away.
- SATCOM allows for command and control, as well as the transmission of data like video and telemetry, over virtually any distance with a clear line of sight to the satellite.
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Cellular Networks: While typically used for shorter ranges, advancements in cellular technology (like 4G LTE and 5G) can extend the communication range, especially if the drone flies within areas with network coverage. However, this is less reliable over vast distances where cellular infrastructure might be sparse or non-existent.
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Relay Systems: In some cases, a network of intermediate drones or ground stations can be used to relay signals between the operator and the target drone. This effectively extends the communication range by creating a chain of communication links.
For the kind of long-range attacks you mentioned, satellite communication is the most likely method enabling operators in Ukraine to control drones attacking targets deep within Russia.
Does this help clarify how such long-distance communication is possible?
