Russian Shahed Drones Now Deploying FPV Drones as Airborne Motherships, Video Confirms – SOFX
AI Analysis
Russian forces are utilizing Shahed drones to deploy FPV drones mid-flight over Ukraine, exploiting Ukrainian mobile networks for control. This tactic marks a new development in drone warfare, with Shahed drones acting as motherships for FPV drones.
Key Takeaways
- Russian Shahed drones are being used to release FPV drones mid-flight.
- Video evidence confirms the deployment over Sumy, Ukraine.
- Shahed drones can carry two FPV drones simultaneously.
- Russian operators use Ukrainian mobile networks to control the FPVs.
- Proposed countermeasures include passport-based SIM card sales and data transmission restrictions.
Why It Matters
This development signifies an evolution in drone warfare tactics, where drones are used as platforms for deploying other drones, increasing their operational range and flexibility. The use of local mobile networks for control poses a significant challenge to Ukrainian defenses, necessitating new countermeasures to mitigate this threat.
Russian Shahed Drones Now Deploying FPV Drones as Airborne Motherships, Video Confirms – SOFX
Russian Shahed Drones Now Deploying FPV Drones as Airborne Motherships, Video Confirms
- [February 20, 2026]
- [Editor Staff]
(Official page of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine / X)
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Russian forces have begun using Shahed strike drones to carry and release FPV drones mid-flight, according to [video evidence shared by Serhiy Beskrestnov], an advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, on February 17.
Russian Shahed/Geran-type long-range UAV releasing an FPV drone over the Ukrainian city of Sumy.
An indication that the Russians have started employing Gerans in the role of an FPV drone carrier, just like they did with Molniya and Gerbera UAVs. [pic.twitter.com/TjAFtsom5f]
— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) [February 17, 2026]
The footage, reportedly captured in Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, marks the first confirmed visual proof of the Shahed operating as an FPV mothership. Beskrestnov, known by his callsign “Flash,” stated that each Shahed carries two FPV drones simultaneously.
“I am asking all anti-aircraft drone crews to pay attention to the possible presence of FPV on the Shahed,” Beskrestnov wrote in his Telegram post. “I ask all units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to take note of the new risks.”
The development follows earlier warnings from Beskrestnov about factory-installed FPV mounting brackets discovered on Molniya and Gerbera-type loitering munitions. On February 3, he shared images of a [crashed Gerbera fitted with an FPV mounting bracket], and video footage on February 9 showed a Gerbera releasing an FPV mid-flight.
Gerbera launching FPV drone [pic.twitter.com/kQ55QXStMO]
— TheComradeVortex (@ComradeVortex) [February 9, 2026]
LTE Networks and Ukrainian SIM Cards
According to Beskrestnov, Russian operators are exploiting Ukrainian mobile networks to control the dropped FPVs. After release, the drones navigate to areas with stable LTE coverage, allowing operators located in Russian territory to guide them onto targets. The FPVs can remain airborne for up to 45 minutes after deployment.
To access Ukrainian networks, Russian forces use Ukrainian SIM cards purchased in bulk without restriction. Beskrestnov has proposed passport-based SIM card sales with quantity limits as a countermeasure. While acknowledging the measure would not eliminate the problem entirely, he argued it would curtail large-scale abuse.
“Right now, any ‘waiter’ can buy 3,000 SIM cards without any problems and send them to Russia,” he said.
The proposed restrictions would require a parliamentary vote. Beskrestnov also mentioned temporary technical restrictions on data transmission in certain areas as an alternative, while acknowledging the social cost.
“We all understand how painful such actions