Chinese drone manufacturer DJI Global has limited the capabilities of its AeroScope technology to the Ukrainian army, giving the Russian occupiers a significant advantage in aerial reconnaissance.

This was announced on Twitter by Vladimir Shimansky, Software Architect, writes Aggeek.

He noted that this could be a technical problem. But such an option is unlikely, as there are reports that DJI will limit or stop the supply of its drones to Ukraine. Therefore, Shimansky did not recommend that Ukrainian DJI owners update any software or firmware, but suggested turning off geolocation and registering their drones only outside of Ukraine.

Shimansky later added that there are reports that several AeroScope systems are still operating in Ukraine, but many others (including guarding nuclear plants) are unavailable.

DJI US spokesman Adam Leesberg tweeted that the reports were false: “We are aware of problems with some AeroScope units in Ukraine; they may be connected to a prolonged power/internet loss. But there is NO intentional action to downgrade AeroScope.

AgroPortal.ua's own sources reported that DJI supports the Russian Federation, but does not disconnect the devices of Ukrainian operators from the AeroScope technology. “That is, part of the equipment supplied for the Ukrainian army is now working properly, without problems,” the source said.