Ukraine’s signal-repeating drones extend attack drone range, counter Russian jamming

Flying relay towers help operators keep control over longer distances in electronic warfare cat-and-mouse game

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Ukraine is using drones as flying signal repeaters to extend the range of attack drones and make them more resistant to Russian electronic warfare. Companies like Twist Robotics have repurposed existing drones for this relay function, allowing operators to fly mission drones farther while maintaining a stable connection.

In a war where drones gather intelligence and account for more than 95% of Russian front-line losses, Ukraine wants its operators to keep control of their drones over longer distances with stronger signals that are harder for Russia to break. One solution is the signal repeater drone, a flying signal booster that operates between a pilot and a mission drone, relaying commands and sending back video and intelligence.

Twist Robotics, a Ukrainian arms maker, produces a signal-repeating drone derived from its Saker Scout. Rostyslav Olenchyn, the company's co-founder and chief information officer, said the drone was widely used for reconnaissance and strike operations, but the war changes rapidly, and without updates it risked becoming obsolete. The Saker Scout's range was "not enough" for many missions, so it was redesigned as a signal relay station. According to the company, it can extend the operational range of drones by more than 50 kilometres.

The concept of using aircraft as signal middlemen is not new; militaries have used helicopters and planes to relay communications. However, these crewed aircraft struggle to operate over Ukraine due to the heavy presence of drones and air defences. "So the small, versatile platform was a solution," Olenchyn said. Serial production of the Saker Scout with this function started in 2023.

Other Ukrainian companies are also working in the space. Roboneers developed a version of its Wardog drone that can carry relay equipment, and Skyriper makes a dedicated airborne repeater drone. Volodymyr Zinovskyi, CEO of TAF Industries, said his company started making relay drones last year at the request of units, describing the technology as going from optional to essential.

dmytro "Liber" Zhluktenko, a former drone operator now a lessons-learned analyst with Ukraine's 413th Unmanned Systems Regiment, said Ukrainian forces are "keeping somewhat a stable radio link by mass utilizing signal repeaters." Some repeaters are fixed-wing drones, others repurposed bomber drones that carry just the signal repeater. "We optimize those signal repeater carriers to just stay in the air for an extremely long time, like one hour plus," he said.

Russia is also using the technology to help attack drones fly deeper into Ukrainian territory. The US military is experimenting with similar methods, such as using helicopters as FPV motherships and handing off control after launch.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Drones account for more than 95% of Russian front-line losses, making extended range and jamming resistance critical for Ukraine.
The rapid adaptation of drone technology in war shows the importance of continuous updates; Twist Robotics releases updates every two weeks.
The use of airborne repeaters could shape future military drone tactics globally, as seen by US experimentation.

Background

Drones are central to the Ukraine war for reconnaissance and strikes. Electronic warfare is a major threat, with both sides able to trace drone control signals back to their source. Signal repeaters, flying relay stations, are a response to this. The concept is not new, militaries have used crewed aircraft as relay stations, but drones are more survivable in the saturated battlefield.

What to Watch

Whether Russia develops countermeasures specifically targeting relay drones.
Potential integration of similar relay technology by other militaries, including the US Marine Corps.
The pace of innovation: Twist Robotics releases new updates or functionality every two weeks.

Sources

Ukraine is using drones like hovering WiFi repeaters to help attack drones reach farther · Business Insider

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedUkraine’s relay drones extend the range of attack drones.All Content from Business Insider: “Twist Robotics Drones in Ukraine act as flying communications bridges between operators and mission drones. They repeat the operators' signal to allow drones to fly farther while staying connected.”
SupportedThe relay drones make attack drones more resistant to Russian electronic warfare.All Content from Business Insider: “The signal-repeating drones make other drones more resistant to Russia's electronic warfare.”
Partly supportedThe summary places the relay technology in an electronic-warfare “cat-and-mouse game.”All Content from Business Insider: “this war changes rapidly, with arms and warfighting technology quickly becoming obsolete. And without updates, this drone was at risk of falling victim to that pattern in the cat-and-mouse technology race.”
SupportedDrones account for more than 95% of Russia’s front-line losses.All Content from Business Insider: “drones gather intel and account for more than 95% of Russia's front-line losses”
SupportedOlenchyn said the Saker Scout’s range was “not enough” for many missions.All Content from Business Insider: “the Saker Scout's range was "not enough" for many missions.”
SupportedAccording to the company, the Saker Scout can extend drones’ operational range by more than 50 kilometres.All Content from Business Insider: “The Saker Scout, able to also be used in other combat roles, can extend the operational range of drones by more than 50 kilometers, according to the company.”
SupportedOlenchyn said, “So the small, versatile platform was a solution.”All Content from Business Insider: “"So the small, versatile platform was a solution."”
SupportedSerial production of the Saker Scout with the relay function started in 2023.All Content from Business Insider: “He said that serial production of the Saker Scout with this function started in 2023.”
SupportedZinovskyi said TAF Industries started making relay drones last year at units’ request, describing the technology as going from optional to essential.All Content from Business Insider: “Volodymyr Zinovskyi, the CEO of the Ukrainian defense firm TAF Industries, told Business Insider that his company started making relay drones last year at the request of units, describing the technology as going from optional to essential.”
SupportedZhluktenko said Ukrainian forces were “keeping somewhat a stable radio link by mass utilizing signal repeaters.”All Content from Business Insider: “Dmytro "Liber" Zhluktenko, a former drone operator who now serves as a lessons-learned analyst with Ukraine's 413th Unmanned Systems Regiment "RAID," told Business Insider that Ukrainian forces are "keeping somewhat a stable radio link by mass utilizing signal repeaters."”
SupportedZhluktenko said relay carriers are optimized to stay airborne for “one hour plus.”All Content from Business Insider: “"We optimize those signal repeater carriers to just stay in the air for an extremely long time, like one hour plus," he said.”
SupportedRussia is using the technology to help attack drones fly deeper into Ukrainian territory.All Content from Business Insider: “Russia is using the technology too, including to help attack drones fly deeper into Ukrainian territory.”