Ukrainian forces are now embedding malware in their drones as a new strategy in their ongoing war with Russia.
This development adds a cyber warfare measurement to a battleground already transformed by drone technology.Russian forces discovered Ukrainian drones carrying malware, evidence of which appeared in a video shared on social media.
According to a Reddit post including the video, this malware carries out numerous disruptive functions, consisting of stressing out the USB port, preventing reflashing, or hijacking the repurposed FPV and revealing the operator location.This strategy highlights how Ukraine is leveraging its strong pre-war infotech sector to counter Russias advanced military innovations and strong defense commercial base, writes Forbes defense correspondent Vikram Mittal in his analysis.The malware serves multiple strategic functions.
It prevents Russian forces from studying recorded Ukrainian drones to develop countermeasures, stops them from repurposing caught devices, and potentially allows Ukrainian forces to track the location of Russian drone operators who try to utilize caught devices.By embedding malware into their drones, Ukrainian developers have discovered a way to interfere with Russian counter-drone efforts without needing additional physical resources, a vital benefit offered Ukraines logistical restraints, Mittal notes.This development could have wider implications for the war.If effective, Ukraine might begin incorporating malware into other electronic systems to limit Russias ability to study or recycle them, Mittal explains.The report recommends this development will likely activate a new technological competitors in between Ukraine and Russia, comparable to the ongoing development of drone warfare tactics.
Both sides may soon implement increasingly sophisticated malware while all at once establishing countermeasures, developing a continuous cycle of attack and defense that includes a new dimension to the fight for drone supremacy.Source: Euromaidan