The below is a translation from Ukrainian SIGINT expert explaining how Russia gathers information from cell phones use in the grey zone and its consequences. This has been marked as very credible form numerous sources.

Why you need to be careful when using a phone at the front line? Let’s consider the issue using the example of the ELINT system (Electronic Intelligence). “ELINT usually works only on group targets. Three or more phones in one place in the forest and the artillery gets the target designation. The radio intelligence complex shows the SIM card number, the phone’s serial number, and the signal strength from the phone. The front line is not just a couple of kilometers of the frontline. Do not keep phones turned on where artillery can reach. If you urgently need to call, use only one phone at a time within a 700-meter area.

How do ELINT systems installed on UAVs determine the location of mobile phones? A false base station operates on board the UAV. Flying over you, it overrides the signal from your mobile operator’s tower, and your phone registers on the UAV’s false network. This is a weakness in the GSM 900, GSM1800 security protocol. [Global System for Mobile communication]

What happens to the phone? Nothing, you just see the network, but calls cannot be made. The UAV will fly away, and your original network will return. Therefore, in 99% of cases, you will not know that you have been “painted”.

Can you protect yourself somehow? Basically, NO. You can only secure yourself by turning off the phone or switching it to airplane mode.

What can they learn about you?

• They see the SIM card number (IMSI). [International Mobile Subscriber Identity] This is not the phone number, so don’t worry.
• They see your phone’s serial number IMEI. [International Mobile Equipment Identity]
• They record the location with an accuracy of 500-1000 meters.
• They can send SMS messages even from any number (not only when flying by). That is, there is no analysis of the phone’s content, calls, or messages… To determine if you are military or not) and there cannot be.

Why is this dangerous? In 10-15 hours of flight time, it can scan a front-line area 100 km long and 20 km deep. Up to 60 points can be specified for an autonomous route. Returning, it brings data to operators, which is downloaded to a computer and merged into a common database. Then they can see (overlaid on a map) the location of mobile subscribers. And the common database allows them to judge troop movements along the fronts.

So, what should be done?

• Take a temporary SIM card to the front and change it if possible.
• Remember that the front is not only the “zero” line. ELINT also works in the depths.
• Do not trust any SMS even from familiar numbers. Specifically, SMS, not messengers!
• If there are signs of a false base station operating, take it into account. Your positions are being monitored.
• Keep in mind that you can receive SMS not only when a UAV flies overhead; …

Mobile communication protocols also allow this from abroad through the “native” network via SS7 signaling. A common mistake is to think there is no mobile communication here and it never will be, so there is no point in turning off the phone.”

Note: Russian Orlan reconnaissance UAVs (Photos Above) have radio receivers that detect any system that emits radio signals up to 30GHz. These include air defense radar signals including Patriot, and counter-battery radars. Also, EW jammers are detected, and even Starlink signals below them. This system detects but does not locate the source of signals. Further EW reconnaissance and search using other methods must be carried out in the detected square.

Orlando “Andy” Wilson
Investigator & Writer etc. @ www.tohff.com
Authors page: http://www.amazon.com/author/orlandowilson

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