Ukrainian officials are increasingly concerned about the uncontrolled sale of SIM cards that may be used by Russia to operate drones during the ongoing conflict. According to Serhiy Beskrestnov, the advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, the existing system allows for easy access to Ukrainian SIM cards, which are believed to be used in FPV (First Person View) drones aimed at critical infrastructure. He argues that these drones can be guided from Russia to target Ukrainian assets using stable mobile connections established through local SIM cards.

To address this issue, Beskrestnov has proposed that SIM cards should only be sold upon the presentation of a passport and in limited quantities. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to disrupt the enemy's operations, although he acknowledges that it might not eliminate the problem entirely, as similar measures have been implemented in Russia where SIM cards are sold with ID verification. Nonetheless, the Ukrainian government aims to bolster its defenses by curbing the misuse of telecommunications technology that facilitates remote drone operations.

The implications of this proposal reflect the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces in protecting its airspace and infrastructure from drone attacks. As the conflict progresses, the reliance on advanced technology for military operations is becoming increasingly significant. This move indicates a shift towards stricter regulations and monitoring of telecommunications to hinder adversarial capabilities, showcasing the lengths to which Ukraine is willing to go in order to safeguard its territory and maintain operational security during the conflict.