Russia has reportedly started equipping its Molniya tactical unmanned aerial systems with Shahed mesh modems to improve coordination against Ukraine.
The development was disclosed by Ukrainian Defence Ministry advisor Serhii Beskrestnov, who shared images on social media showing Molniya drones fitted with compact versions of the modem hardware. He noted that similar systems are being integrated into the Gerbera and Kub loitering munitions deployed by Moscow during the ongoing conflict.
Mesh modems connect multiple drone types through internet-based networking, creating a unified control architecture and standardizing communication capabilities. This interconnected relay network enables real-time data sharing across platforms, helping to minimize communication disruptions during missions.
In a related development, Beskrestnov said Russian forces are now using Shahed drones as launch platforms for first-person view (FPV) drones. He cited initial video evidence indicating that a single Shahed can carry two FPV units and urged Ukrainian air defense teams to account for the expanded threat during interception efforts. He added that Molniya and Gerbera drones already feature mounting provisions for FPV payloads, and pointed to September 2025 debris from a Shahed that included components intended to convert it into an FPV-capable system—highlighting Russia’s ongoing adaptation of its drone fleet.
