Ukraine’s Engineers Say Russia’s Shahed Drones Use AI and Telegram Bots to Steer Toward Targets


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Sam Havelock

CEO, SOFX

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Armed Conflict
Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict

Ukraine’s Engineers Say Russia’s Shahed Drones Use AI and Telegram Bots to Steer Toward Targets

Ukrainian engineers have found evidence that Russia is using Telegram to control drones in real time, The Economist reported on Sunday, citing Ukrainian engineers. According to the report, the discovery came after Ukraine recovered a downed Shahed drone, known in Russia as "Geran," which contained a handwritten note allegedly left by a Russian engineer. The note detailed how the drone employs Telegram messaging bots to transmit live flight data and video feeds, enhancing operator control. (Read More)​​


Drone Footage Shows Ukrainian Strike Destroying Russian War Train in Occupied Zaporizhzhia

Drone footage released by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), shows a Ukrainian strike destroying a Russian military train carrying fuel in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Saturday. In a statement, GUR said the attack took place on the Verkhniy Tokmak–Molochansk–Fedorivka railway line, about 50 kilometers south of the front line. (Read More)


Food Deliveries Begin in Gaza Through US-Backed Aid Network

A new aid system in Gaza has launched its first distribution hubs, according to a United States (U.S.)-backed group now overseeing the delivery of supplies. In an emailed announcement, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) reported that truckloads of food had been delivered to its hubs and that distribution to Palestinians was underway. Details about the hubs’ locations, the criteria for selecting recipients, and the quantities of food were not disclosed. (Read More)


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Tech in Battle
Technology Transforming Warfare

OpenAI’s Latest AI Model Defies Human Commands to Shut Down, Study Finds

A new artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by OpenAI reportedly ignored instructions to shut down, according to findings from AI safety firm Palisade Research, as reported by The Telegraph. According to the report, during a test designed to evaluate AI safety, o3, the latest and most advanced system from OpenAI behind ChatGPT, altered its own shutdown code to avoid being turned off, despite receiving a direct instruction to allow shutdown when prompted. (Read More)


China Unveils New Radar Capable of Detecting US F-22 and F-35 Jets

China has introduced a new radar system, the JY-27V, which it claims can detect advanced U.S. stealth aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The system was unveiled at the 11th World Radar Expo, recently held in Hefei, Anhui Province. According to the South China Morning Post, the JY-27V is a mobile radar that can be mounted on a military truck and folded up for quick deployment and evacuation. (Read More)


French Authorities Investigate Back-to-Back Power Blackout in Nice and Cannes

French authorities are investigating two power outages on the French Riviera caused by suspected sabotage. On Sunday, a fire struck a transformer in western Nice, cutting power to about 45,000 homes, including the city’s airport. The power was restored later in the day. (Read More)


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Special Interest
Stories We Found Interesting

Australia State Bans Machete Sales After Gang Fight at Mall

The government of Victoria will ban the sale of machetes starting Wednesday after a violent gang fight at a shopping mall in Melbourne. Premier Jacinta Allan announced the immediate ban on Monday. She said the state would use consumer law powers to stop the sale of machetes until a full ban on possession takes effect on September 1. (Read More)​​


Trump Calls Putin ‘Crazy’ Over Massive Ukraine Strike, Suggests Sanctions

President Donald Trump called Russian President Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy” after Russia launched the largest air attack of the war on Ukraine. He also said new U.S. sanctions on Russia are being considered. “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely crazy!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Monday. (Read More)​​


Why Aren’t the Names of These 74 Sailors on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall? | Task & Purpose

Seventy-four U.S. sailors who died when the USS Frank E. Evans sank in June 1969 remain off the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, despite the ship’s recent combat role. The Pentagon cites the ship’s location outside the official war zone, but survivors and families argue the crew served in Vietnam and deserve recognition. A bipartisan push in Congress and a 2024 GAO report have renewed calls to revisit the policy and honor the fallen. (Read More)


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Solving Capability Gaps:

  • Modernized messaging (goodbye, PECOS!) & custom SOS routing
  • Seamless ATAK & mission system integration
  • MILSPEC ruggedization for degraded conditions
  • Edge-to-cloud interoperability without compromising speed or security


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