A secret note found inside a crashed Russian drone has revealed a new and surprising way Russia is controlling its attack drones in Ukraine.

Hidden Note Uncovers Russia’s Telegram-Controlled Drone Strategy

The note, possibly left behind by someone on the Russian side, showed that Telegram bots are now being used to guide these drones in real time. Telegram is a messaging app that many people use to chat, but Russia seems to be turning it into a deadly tool.

Ukrainian engineers discovered this control system hidden inside the drone. This new method lets human operators see the drone’s flight data and camera footage live as it flies. This kind of real-time information makes it much easier to guide the drone exactly where it needs to go.

What makes this more dangerous is that the drones can now keep flying and hitting targets even when Ukraine tries to block them using GPS jamming. GPS jamming is a way to confuse the drone’s location system, but with Telegram bots and new software, Russian drones are harder to stop.

The discovery of this hidden technology came at a time when Russia carried out its biggest drone attack of the war so far. Russia launched 355 Shahed-type drones and decoys in a single, enormous wave on the evening of May 26. This attack overwhelmed Ukrainian defenses and aimed to cause heavy damage to cities and infrastructure.

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Upgraded Shahed Drones Show Advanced Tech and AI Use

The drones used in the latest attacks are not the same as the older ones. These newer Shahed drones have been upgraded many times. Reports say they are already using their sixth version, with many improvements added along the way. Some of these drones now run on jet engines, making them faster and harder to shoot down.

One of the most alarming upgrades is the use of Telegram bots to help control and guide the drones. By connecting to Telegram, operators can receive real-time flight data and live video feeds, even during the mission. This allows the drones to be adjusted mid-flight, making them more accurate and dangerous.

They also appear to be using satellite internet systems, like those seen in commercial space services. This allows them to connect and share data even without local signals. When combined with Telegram-based control systems, this technology gives the drones a major edge in navigating tough environments and makes them harder to jam.

Another major change is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in these drones. This AI allows the drones to learn and adjust their path as they fly. They can recognize targets and guide themselves without needing full human control. This makes the drones smarter and more dangerous.

Russia is not just using drones made in Iran, like the original Shahed models. They are also building their own versions called Geran drones. These are being used in huge swarms to try and exhaust Ukraine’s defenses. By launching many drones at once, they hope to create holes in the air defense system, allowing more powerful missiles to hit their targets.

Ukraine’s Defenses Under Pressure as Supplies Run Low

Even though Ukrainian air defense systems are very effective, the nonstop drone attacks are taking a toll. About 95% of the approaching drones can currently be shot down by Ukraine. However, it’s getting more difficult to keep up as resources are running low and attacks continue to occur.

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Ammunition for some of Ukraine’s air defense systems is already running low.  For instance, there are no more missiles in two significant air defense batteries known as SAMP/T.  It’s been more than a year and a half since the Crotale, another system, got new missiles.

There are also concerns about the number of remaining Patriot missile systems in Ukraine. These are among the best tools for shooting down Russian ballistic missiles. But no new supplies have been confirmed, and the number of missiles left is unknown.

Ukraine has requested more Patriot systems to help defend against future attacks. However, no decision has been made yet about whether these requests will be fulfilled. This uncertainty makes it harder for Ukrainian forces to plan and prepare.

Despite these challenges, Ukrainian forces continue to work hard to protect cities and infrastructure from Russian drone and missile attacks. But the discovery of Telegram bot control adds a new layer of danger, making the drones even more difficult to fight against.

This new development shows how modern technology, even simple apps like Telegram, can be turned into powerful weapons when used in war. The skies over Ukraine have become a battleground not just for machines, but for control over digital networks and advanced software.