Ukraine develops tiny device to track live Russian drones:How the receiver captures video feeds and helps military detect enemy before they attack

Ukraine has developed a small device that can help its military spot enemy drones before they launch an attack. Weighing just 280 grams, the receiver can capture live video signals sent by Russian drones, allowing soldiers to see what the drone’s camera is recording and understand where it is heading. The device, called ‘D·Vision SDR,’ has been developed by Kyiv-based communications technology startup CODE380. It works by detecting radio signals sent by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. These signals can carry live video from the drone’s camera to its operator. According to a 2 November report by Defense News, the receiver could help Ukrainian military units monitor enemy drone activity and identify possible threats before they reach their targets. How does Ukraine’s D·Vision SDR drone detector work? To understand how the device works, it is important to know that many drones use radio signals to send live video from their cameras to the person controlling them. D·Vision SDR detects these radio signals and captures the video being transmitted by the drone. This allows military personnel to watch the footage and understand what the drone is seeing. The device scans radio frequencies between 500 MHz and 8.7 GHz. This wide range allows it to detect signals from different types of drones. It is also a software-defined radio (SDR). In simple words, this means its functions are controlled largely through software rather than fixed hardware. The company can update its software to help the receiver recognise new drone signals and specifications. According to Ukrainian technology publication DOU, the device can scan its frequency range without blind spots and offers improved signal sensitivity. Can it detect Russia’s Molniya attack drones? One of the important features of D·Vision SDR is its ability to detect signals in the 4.1 GHz to 4.5 GHz frequency range. This is significant because Russian Molniya strike drones reportedly began using this frequency range to transmit live video feeds in June. Serhii ‘Flash’ Beskrestnov, a radio specialist and adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had warned about this development in a Facebook post in June. He pointed out that several existing drone detectors were not sensitive enough to pick up signals in this frequency range. This could allow some Russian drones to go undetected. The new receiver aims to address this problem by covering the frequencies used by these drones. Also read: Pink stone found in Sahara Desert turns out from Mars: Water traces found in 800-gram stone, more than 4.1 billion years old

How far can the drone detector pick up signals?
The D·Vision SDR can detect analogue video signals over different distances, depending on the frequency being used. According to Ukrainian defence publication Militarnyi, its detection range can reach up to 10 kilometres when operating between 540 MHz and 6 GHz. However, at higher frequencies, its range falls to around 3.5 to 5 kilometres. This means the distance at which soldiers can detect a drone depends on the frequency of its signal and the conditions in which the device is being used. Weighs less than other Ukrainian drone detectors Another major advantage of the D·Vision SDR is its lightweight design. At around 280 grams, it is easier to carry than several other Ukrainian-made drone detection devices. Here is how it compares with some competing receivers: Why does passive detection matter? One of the most important features of D·Vision SDR is that it works through passive detection. In simple terms, the device only receives radio signals from nearby drones. It does not send out its own signals to search for them. This is important on a battlefield because transmitting radio signals can reveal the location of military personnel to the enemy. By receiving drone signals without broadcasting anything, Ukrainian forces can monitor enemy activity while reducing the chances of exposing their own positions. Also read: Can your refrigerators be hacked?: After computers and phones, hackers now target supermarket; hits stores across Europe

Why might this technology become less effective in the future? Despite its advantages, D·Vision SDR also has some limitations. The device may struggle to detect drones that use encrypted digital video signals. It may also be less useful against fibre-optic drones, which use physical cables to transmit information instead of conventional radio signals. There is another growing challenge. Russia could increasingly use digital communication systems and artificial intelligence (AI) in its drones. In August 2026, The New York Times reported that some Russian Molniya drones were using AI systems powered by Nvidia chips. These drones could also operate without emitting detectable radio signals. This creates a problem for passive detection systems because they depend on receiving radio transmissions to identify enemy drones. As drone technology continues to develop, Ukraine will need to keep updating its detection systems to deal with newer threats. While the 280-gram D·Vision SDR offers a useful way to monitor enemy drones, it may not be enough to detect every type of drone used in future warfare.