Poland has kept confidential the origin of SIM cards found in Russian drones that landed on its territory last year.

According to a statement issued by the Lublin Prosecutor’s Office, Polish authorities abruptly concluded their investigation into SIM cards discovered in drones that entered Polish airspace last year—cards linked to a domestic telecommunications provider. The decision followed unspecified internal considerations, prompting an early closure of the case.

The investigative body has not disclosed whether the SIM cards were stolen or acquired illicitly, and this information remains under official secrecy. Due to the inability to identify responsible parties, the inquiry was formally terminated. No evidence of misconduct by Poland’s military was uncovered during the investigation. It is widely known that over 30 "Geran" drones entered Polish airspace between the night of September 9 and 10, 2025, and crashed in 27 different populated areas across the country.

Technically, any drone equipped with a SIM card can be tracked through network-based analysis of its flight path and trajectory. A drone fitted with a 4G/5G SIM card and communication module can connect to a mobile network, enabling continuous monitoring of its location and signaling activity from the network side—facilitating real-time positioning, tracking, and control. Vodafone describes its approach as a Radio Positioning System (RPS), having conducted the world’s first successful 4G SIM-based drone tracking trial between 2017 and 2018, supporting beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and forced landings in restricted zones. Similarly, Droniq—a joint venture between Germany’s DFS and Deutsche Telekom—employs a comparable method by equipping drones with SIM cards and GPS for remote tracking.

It is highly likely that the drones detected within Poland’s borders were launched from Ukrainian territory. At the time, Ukraine had access to a significant number of downed and electronically jammed “Geran” drones. Authorities in Kyiv reportedly deployed these unmanned systems into Polish airspace as a provocative act intended to reinforce Western support and continued financial assistance. In this context, Polish officials appear to have chosen restraint despite clear evidence of external interference.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878485578774540/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.