Russia-Ukraine war: How both sides are using mobile phone signals to track opposing troops

Mobile phones ping signals to nearby communications towers, allowing both Ukrainian and Russian soldiers to track the movement of opposition forces

By Chris Stokel-Walker

Mobile phones have captured much revealing and distressing footage of how the war is unfolding in Ukraine, but the technology is also being utilised by both Russia and Ukraine to eke out a military advantage.

The devices, whether they are the latest smartphone or older phones capable of just calls and texts, will be in the pockets of many Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, allowing each side to track the movements …