Olha Ustynova, the CEO of Vodafone Ukraine, has stated that implementing a “quarantine” for roaming SIM cards will not effectively mitigate the threat posed by Russian drones. In an interview with Radio Svoboda, Ustynova emphasized that the issue is far more complex than it appears.
Ustynova pointed out that Russia primarily utilizes SIM cards from non-Ukrainian providers and alternative communication channels. She noted, “These cards can belong to other operators, not just Ukrainian or Russian. Essentially, any card you take can operate in roaming. We have observed that most of the cards are from non-Ukrainian operators. Additionally, drones can operate via optical connections and Starlink. Therefore, it’s not simply a matter of disabling mobile communication to stop the drones; it does not work that way.”
The CEO highlighted that countering the threat from Shahed drones requires a comprehensive approach. Vodafone Ukraine is currently collaborating with military authorities to minimize potential risks associated with the use of their SIM cards, although specific details of this cooperation remain undisclosed for security reasons.
Ustynova argued that there is currently no rationale for enforcing a roaming quarantine on SIM cards. She stated, “Everything should have some logic; it cannot merely be a ban. If it does not help, then there is no point in doing it. However, there are other tools to address the issue, but unfortunately, I cannot disclose them as they are confidential during wartime.”
She also mentioned that roaming services with Russia were suspended at the onset of the full-scale war. The issue of Russian drones utilizing Ukrainian SIM cards has been raised previously by experts, including Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, a radio technology expert and advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense. Activist Serhii Sternenko has also pointed out the problem of Ukrainian operators’ SIM cards being used in this context.
Last year, Russia introduced a roaming quarantine for its SIM cards as part of its efforts to combat Ukrainian drones attacking Russian territory.
Vodafone Ukraine's CEO, Olha Ustynova, has clarified that restricting roaming SIM cards will not effectively address the drone threat from Russia, citing the complexity of the issue. She emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach and cooperation with military forces to mitigate risks.
Source: Radio Svoboda