Chinese Mesh Modems Have Changed the War in Ukraineю A New Level of Drone Warfare in Ukraine

In an exclusive interview with Yuriy Romanenko, leading specialist in radio‑electronic warfare Serhiy Flash detailed how Russian unmanned systems have evolved over the past three months, focusing on the use of Chinese mesh modems that enable drones to maintain online control over distances up to 200 km, allowing real‑time target selection and bypassing countermeasures. These modems, costing $5‑7 thousand and operating from 500 MHz to 6 GHz, complicate electronic warfare efforts. Russia is mass‑purchasing and integrating them into Shaheds and Gerbers, creating a unified network across Ukrainian territory. Flash warned that ground repeaters installed by strangers could expand the mesh network, and noted the recent deployment of Starlink Mini on Molniya and FPV drones, which provides stable communication and makes them hard to jam. He also described the SKVP system, a unified radar visibility field that has increased Ukrainian losses, and highlighted the growing use of AI‑enabled drones that can autonomously change routes and target unplanned assets. Countermeasures such as FPV detectors that intercept video signals give crews precious seconds to take cover. Flash criticized the shortage of practical radio‑engineering skills in Ukrainian military education, noting an excess of IT specialists but a deficit of circuit‑design expertise.