Russia Is Launching a Cyber-Shield for Drones—Powered by Its Emergency Response Network

In the age of autonomous everything, Russia is building a firewall for the skies

A new cybersecurity platform is being rolled out to protect unmanned vehicles from remote hijacking, data breaches, and cyberattacks—and it’s plugging directly into ERA-GLONASS, the nation’s emergency response system.

Announced at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the project is backed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and spearheaded by GLONASS JSC. According to CEO Alexey Raykevich, the mission is clear: close the vulnerability gap in telemetry channels, the digital lifelines that hackers increasingly exploit to take control of autonomous systems.

“The first step is modernizing the way data moves,” Raykevich said. “Telemetry channels are being weaponized to seize control of drones—we’re shutting that down.”

The pilot program will test next-gen protocols for detecting and neutralizing cyber threats in real time. Think of it as a digital defense grid for the drone economy, intercepting malicious signals before they can do damage.

Once the system clears its trial phase, the platform will be deployed across commercial freight fleets, where risks around hijacking and data theft are even higher. Beyond just protecting vehicle operations, the platform also secures user privacy and operational integrity, preventing remote shutdowns or unauthorized access.

In short: Russia is giving its unmanned future a secure backbone, ensuring that the rise of autonomous transport doesn’t become a backdoor for cyber warfare.