Russia Proposes New Law to Penalize Soldiers Using Smartphones in Ukraine Conflict

Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has introduced a draft law aimed at penalizing soldiers who use smartphones while engaged in combat in Ukraine. This initiative arises from concerns that electronic devices can compromise troop locations on the battlefield. Under the proposed legislation, soldiers caught with internet-connected phones could face up to 10 days of arrest, as the use of such devices would be deemed a "gross disciplinary offense." The law also seeks to ban other electronic devices capable of recording and transmitting geolocation data. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have reportedly exploited enemy cell phones to gather intelligence, using data from messages and photos to identify targets. The United States and its intelligence allies have previously warned that Russian military hackers have been actively targeting Ukrainian soldiers' mobile devices to extract sensitive information. Additionally, Ukraine's Security Service has indicated that Russian hackers attempted to infiltrate military tablets used for operational planning, aiming to intercept data sent to satellite systems crucial for communication. The issue of smartphone usage among Russian troops gained prominence following a deadly Ukrainian strike in Makiivka, which resulted in significant Russian casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry attributed the attack to the indiscriminate use of cell phones by soldiers, although this explanation has faced skepticism from some officials. In response to the challenges posed by uncontrolled gadgets, some commentators have suggested developing a "controlled" device that would not compromise operational security, even proposing collaboration with Chinese manufacturers for such technology. The legislative process for the draft law will involve consideration by the Duma before moving to the Federation Council for approval or rejection.