The Radio-Obsessed Civilian Shaping Ukraine's Drone Defense (technologyreview.com) 19
Former Ukranian officer Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov created a Signal channel where military communications specialists could talk with civilian radio experts, reports MIT's Technology Review. But radio communications are crucial for drones, so...
About once a month, he drives hundreds of kilometers east in a homemade mobile intelligence center: a black VW van in which stacks of radio hardware connect to an array of antennas on the roof that stand like porcupine quills when in use. Two small devices on the dash monitor for nearby drones. Over several days at a time, Flash studies the skies for Russian radio transmissions and tries to learn about the problems facing troops in the fields and in the trenches.
He is, at least in an unofficial capacity, a spy. But unlike other spies, Flash does not keep his work secret. In fact, he shares the results of these missions with more than 127,000 followers — including many soldiers and government officials — on several public social media channels. Earlier this year, for instance, he described how he had recorded five different Russian reconnaissance drones in a single night — one of which was flying directly above his van... Drones have come to define the brutal conflict that has now dragged on for more than two and a half years. And most rely on radio communications — a technology that Flash has obsessed over since childhood. So while Flash is now a civilian, the former officer has still taken it upon himself to inform his country's defense in all matters related to radio...
Flash has also become a source of some controversy among the upper echelons of Ukraine's military, he tells me. The Armed Forces of Ukraine declined multiple requests for comment, but Flash and his colleagues claim that some high-ranking officials perceive him as a security threat, worrying that he shares too much information and doesn't do enough to secure sensitive intel... [But] His work has become greatly important to those fighting on the ground, and he recently received formal recognition from the military for his contributions to the fight, with two medals of commendation — one from the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, the other from the Ministry of Defense...
And given the mounting evidence that both militaries and militant groups in other parts of the world are now adopting drone tactics developed in Ukraine, it's not only his country's fate that Flash may help to determine — but also the ways that armies wage war for years to come.
He's also written guides on building cheap anti-drone equipment...
He is, at least in an unofficial capacity, a spy. But unlike other spies, Flash does not keep his work secret. In fact, he shares the results of these missions with more than 127,000 followers — including many soldiers and government officials — on several public social media channels. Earlier this year, for instance, he described how he had recorded five different Russian reconnaissance drones in a single night — one of which was flying directly above his van... Drones have come to define the brutal conflict that has now dragged on for more than two and a half years. And most rely on radio communications — a technology that Flash has obsessed over since childhood. So while Flash is now a civilian, the former officer has still taken it upon himself to inform his country's defense in all matters related to radio...
Flash has also become a source of some controversy among the upper echelons of Ukraine's military, he tells me. The Armed Forces of Ukraine declined multiple requests for comment, but Flash and his colleagues claim that some high-ranking officials perceive him as a security threat, worrying that he shares too much information and doesn't do enough to secure sensitive intel... [But] His work has become greatly important to those fighting on the ground, and he recently received formal recognition from the military for his contributions to the fight, with two medals of commendation — one from the commander of Ukraine's ground forces, the other from the Ministry of Defense...
And given the mounting evidence that both militaries and militant groups in other parts of the world are now adopting drone tactics developed in Ukraine, it's not only his country's fate that Flash may help to determine — but also the ways that armies wage war for years to come.
He's also written guides on building cheap anti-drone equipment...
Vehicle type and colour (Score:4, Insightful)
Or that's not enough to actually find them. (Score:2)
Like there are tons of them around.
And/or they try to only go out at night when moving around. Then camouflage it more when stationary.
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That's actually misdirection. He travels in an Aurus Senat [wikipedia.org]. ;-)
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Indeed, Russian troops have no qualms about wasting civilians minding their own business, so I'm sure they'd treat a civilian doing DIY sigint the same as a military enemy. Even driving a van that could be mistaken for something other than an ordinary civilian van where Russian drones can see it is an exceptionally ballsy move.
guides? (Score:2)
He's also written guides on building cheap anti-drone equipment...
Links please. C'mon this is Slashdot! Gimme!
I made a cursory search (failed). (Score:2)
Did find a blog post by them about using fiber optics to get around radio problems which matched the futuristic solution I'd almost had in mind (mine was more about aimed lasers using hidden frequencies not normally visible to people, or hidden by sunlight). The hosting site looked to be about portable radar equipment or something? With the rest of the page 1 results looking pretty close to this OP topic.
Didn't try super hard, but I'm curious too. Wonder if it's being deliberately hidden so more people d
Insurgent (Score:2)
Ah, an insurgent or illegal combatant. The Russians might handle them similar as the "coalition of the willing" did in Iraq. Maybe less brutal, they're a civilized nation after all.
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Yes, such civilized behavior. Torturing [bbc.com], raping [cnn.com], and murdering [aljazeera.com] their way through town [wikipedia.org] after town [wikipedia.org].
Trump for Ukraine and the free world (Score:1)
In 2008 Putin invades Georgia [atlanticcouncil.org]. President Bush imposes initial sanctions on Russia [brookings.edu] and leaves office soon. In 2010 Obama, during his 1st term, lifts the last of the sanctions [nytimes.com]...
In 2014, During Obama's 2nd term, Putin annexes Crimea and invades Eastern Ukraine under false flag. Obama, forced to react somehow, provides Ukraine with "non-lethal" aid only [cnn.com]. Comically, this included counter-artillery radars with custom firmware — they would not show the enemy batteries firing from Russian proper.
Ukrainians
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The convicted felon has told Ukraine to surrender, something he would do in their situation. The babbling idiot [imgur.com] has also said he will not help defend our NATO allies if Russia attacks them. Still further, he has said he'd stop the war in one day if he gets into office. So why didn't he do anything other than hand over classified documents [npr.org] to Russia when he was in office as well as give out information which helped kill numerous spies [imgur.com] we had in place.
Take your bullshi elsewhere.
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Ignore this guy, everyone. He is extremely stupid.
Hide the dude and STFU (Score:2)
...otherwise Putie will wipe him out.
jammers (Score:2)
It seems like anything that emits the jamming radiation would be very vulnerable. Even just a couple of drones carrying directional antennas should be able to triangulate the position of the emitting station within a few hundred feet from miles away. Then something could go have a closer look and maybe kill it. There could be some powerful transmitters way back behind the lines but that would blanket a huge area, and how do you protect your own drones and comms against that interference?
A guy driving around
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