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 classified as 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 targeting Ukrainian soldiers' mobile devices to extract sensitive information. Additionally, Ukraine's Security Service has indicated that Russian hackers attempted to infiltrate Android tablets used by Ukrainian troops, aiming to steal data transmitted to critical communication systems like Elon Musk's Starlink. The issue of smartphone usage among Russian soldiers gained prominence following a deadly Ukrainian strike in Makiivka, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 Russian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry attributed the strike to the widespread use of cell phones among its soldiers, although this explanation has faced skepticism from some officials. In response to the challenges posed by uncontrolled gadgets, some military bloggers have suggested the development of a "controlled" device that would not compromise sensitive information. They have even proposed seeking assistance from Chinese manufacturers to create such technology. The draft law will undergo further consideration in the Duma before moving to the Federation Council for approval or rejection.