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Listening in the Fog of War: How Russia and Ukraine Use Mobile Phone Tracking for Precision Strikes

In the war in Ukraine, mobile phones are not just tools of communication — they are potential death sentences. What was once a staple of everyday life has become a liability for soldiers and civilians alike. Both Russia and Ukraine have developed — or adapted — powerful technologies to track mobile phone signals, using that data to locate enemy positions, build intelligence maps, and in some cases, direct artillery, drone or missile strikes within minutes. This fusion of electronic warfare, sign

Both Russia and Ukraine have developed — or adapted — powerful technologies to track mobile phone signals, using that data to locate enemy positions, build intelligence maps, and in some cases, direct artillery, drone or missile strikes within minutes. This fusion of electronic warfare, signals intelligence (SIGINT) and geolocation technology has redefined how modern armies fight — and how quickly digital footprints can turn into targeting coordinates. Although primarily used to track artillery fire, Zoopark-type systems can integrate signals data from multiple sources to build targeting profiles that include mobile phone clusters.

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