They say the technology could let operators in Iran steer drones inside Israel, including over Tel Aviv, after fibre-optic drones killed two soldiers and a civilian and wounded at least 15.
Officials said SIM-equipped drones can be flown over unlimited distances with real-time video, making launch-stage interception difficult and enabling precise reconnaissance or explosive strikes from within the country.
They cited Ukraine and Russia's use of similar methods, including a 117-drone strike on Russian air bases, and warned democracies have few practical countermeasures short of disrupting mobile internet.
As drone tech from allied nations fuels global conflicts, who truly controls this new era of warfare?
How can nations defend against an enemy that is already inside when a drone can launch from any city?
With civilian 5G networks now a battlefield, are data centers the new frontline in global conflicts?
The Tactical Breakthrough of Operation Spiderweb: 41 Aircraft Destroyed by AI-Enhanced Drone Swarm
Overview
Operation Spiderweb, planned by Ukraine's Security Service starting in late 2023, culminated on June 1, 2025, with a groundbreaking drone attack on four Russian airbases. Ukrainian operatives smuggled 150 Osa drones into Russia, which were controlled via Russia's own 4G networks and aided by AI for navigation and targeting. This operation destroyed 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers, marking a major tactical breakthrough. The success of this attack lowered barriers for non-state actors to access similar drone capabilities, raising future threats like AI-coordinated drone swarms. Meanwhile, the challenge of detecting drones blending into civilian cellular traffic has driven the European Union to develop advanced 5G-based detection systems and spurred investments in electronic warfare and cybersecurity.