Russian propaganda Shahed drone carrying recruiter-themed leaflets shot down en route to Kyiv
A Russian drone carrying propaganda leaflets with a QR code alongside its warhead was shot down in Ukraine on the evening of 4 November. The commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces urged people not to scan such codes, which could be a data-theft trap.
A Russian Shahed-type drone heading for Kyiv, carrying propaganda leaflets as well as its warhead, was shot down over Ukraine on the evening of 4 November. The incident was reported by Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces. The leaflets feature a QR code leading to a phishing trap. The case matters because it shows Russia pairing a strike weapon with an attempt to obtain data from Ukrainians.
Where the drone was downed
Brovdi said the drone was brought down near the combat positions of the Birds of the 427th Rarog Separate Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces. According to him, besides its warhead the aircraft was carrying a stack of enemy propaganda leaflets.
What the leaflets say
The commander said the leaflets call on people to join a "Ukrainian volunteer brigade" within the Russian Armed Forces. He also published a photo of one leaflet, which urges readers to "stop the lawlessness of military recruiters".
Warning
Brovdi urged people not to scan the QR codes on such leaflets. In his assessment, this could be a Russian trap intended to steal data or infect smartphones with a virus.
