To battle drones, Russia will start jamming cell phone reception at its Syrian military facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry has decided to start suppressing 2G and 3G cell phone signals at its bases in Syria, according to a new order by Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the 8th Directorate of the General Staff.

Khmeimim Airbase will operate jammers until March 30, and Russian troops deployed in other areas will block cell tower signals until at least July 1. The magazine RBC says the security measure is designed to disable potential drone attacks.

In early January, Khmeimim Airbase was attacked by several drones equipped with small explosives. Despite the relatively simple construction of the aircraft, Moscow says the insurgents had help from specialists (possibly in the U.S. military).

What other measures is Moscow entertaining against cellular technology?

Russia’s military is also considering stricter regulations on the mobile phones, laptops, and tablets soldiers bring with them to Syria. The Defense Ministry says it is organizing a communications hub at Khmeimim Airbase with 30 workstations, which soldiers can use to phone home securely.

The newspaper Kommersant previously reported that the Russian military plans to limit the use of smartphones in Syria to reduce intelligence leaks. The Defense Ministry reportedly wants to provide troops with flip-phones that lack geolocation technology and cameras.