In light of recent military developments, Ukraine is considering implementing a requirement for passport verification when purchasing local SIM cards. This decision comes in response to the increasing use of 'mothership' drones by Russia, which have proven effective in enhancing the operational range of first-person-view (FPV) drones. The statement was made by Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, indicating a strategic shift aimed at bolstering national security.

The 'mothership' drones are large unmanned aerial vehicles that can carry smaller drones, thus allowing for attacks at distances far beyond the previous limit of 20-30 kilometers. As these drones utilize LTE mobile networks and Ukrainian SIM cards to operate, this has raised significant security concerns within the Ukrainian government. Beskrestnov pointed out that Russian forces have effectively managed to transport FPV drones to areas with reliable mobile coverage, allowing them to deploy these aerial machines more efficiently against Ukrainian targets.

As a result, the Ukrainian government is likely considering stricter regulations as a defensive measure against the misuse of telecommunications infrastructure by hostile forces. The requirement for passport verification may serve as a necessary step to limit the civilian accessibility of SIM cards, thereby closing a potential loophole that has enabled Russian forces to exploit Ukrainian resources for military operations. This consideration reflects Ukraine’s increasing vigilance in safeguarding its national security amid ongoing conflicts and the evolving tactics of enemy forces.