The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine reported that it had conducted a cyberattack that resulted in a large-scale failure of the drone control software.
"Cyber specialists of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine carried out another successful operation against the Russian occupiers - as of 8 February 2024, the enemy is complaining about a massive failure of the drone control software," it said.
It is noted that the Russians install this software to jailbreak DJI drones for combat operations.
Among other things, the software allows Russian drone operators to
configure remote controls and create new ones;
grab video and transmit the image to a command post;
control the drone from a computer (not via the remote control).
The GUR notes that the Russian drone jailbreak project uses web servers to ensure the functioning of the "friend or foe" system.
According to preliminary data, as a result of the GUR cyberattack, the servers stopped working, so all software is recognised as "foe" and denies access. Without access to the servers, and thus to the system, it may be impossible to control the drones from the consoles.
The GUR notes that the enemy is now trying to solve the problem in every way possible, including by switching to manual control.