Mobile phone operators in Romania would inadvertently assist in the monitoring of Shahed drones by Russia, according to a Ukrainian expert.

Serghei "Flash" Beskrestnov, an expert in electronic warfare and advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, stated that the Russian mobile operator "Tele2" may have been indirectly involved in drone attacks on Ukraine by supplying SIM cards for "Shahed" type drones. These cards are said to have been ordered in large batches and delivered directly to drone manufacturers. Although the operator's roaming services are blocked in Ukraine, the drones can access networks from neighboring countries, including Romania and Poland.

Beskrestnov emphasized that telecommunications operators in partner states should reassess their business relationships with "Tele2", considering the security risks. Representatives of the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the use of infrastructure from neighboring countries, such as Belarus and Romania, to facilitate drone attacks. This information, although not independently confirmed, highlights the complexity of using civilian technology in the conflict in Ukraine.