Vladimir Putin's scientists have launched a squadron of remote-controlled spy pigeons equipped with brain implants.
Kremlin-backed Moscow neurotech firm boasts that its operators can control herds through sky by sending signals directly to their brains.
Russia's diseased “biodron birds,” codenamed PJN-1, are ordinary pigeons that have been surgically implanted with neural chips that allow technicians to determine their routes.
Field tests are carried out using birds with electrodes inserted into their brains, connected to tiny solar-powered backpacks containing on-board electronics, GPS tracking and a receiver.
Russian tech firm Neiry chillingly claims that “no training is required” and the birds can be controlled remotely in any direction.
Neyry says the birds can fly 310 miles a day or more than 1,850 miles a week on spy missions, but larger birds could soon become weapons.
These include seagulls and even albatrosses for large sea missions, but Nieri did not reveal how many birds were killed in his brain experiments.
Alexander Panov, the founder of the company, said: “At the moment, the solution works on pigeons, but any bird can be used as a carrier.
“We plan to use ravens to carry heavier loads.”
Russia previously trained combat dolphins to patrol the seas, attack underwater saboteurs, lay mines or conduct reconnaissance.
Sources at Russian neurotech company Neyri say the pigeons can now be controlled in real time after operators download commands directly into their brains.
The firm boasts that the pigeons simply “believe they want to fly” in whatever direction the handler chooses.
The sinister system relies on surgery so precise that electrodes are inserted into the brain with millimeter precision.
Once installed, the birds wear mini solar-powered backpacks filled with electronics, GPS tracking kits and receivers that transmit signals directly to their neural implants.
Neyri claims that his invention does not require any training.
The company boasts that “no training is required,” adding that “every animal after surgery becomes remote-controllable.”
Since pigeons are capable of flying 310 miles per day and over 1,850 miles per week, the potential reach of these franken birds is enormous.
Company founder Alexander Panov says this technology will soon go beyond pigeons.
“The solution currently works on pigeons, but any bird can be used as a host,” he said.
“We plan to use ravens for transporting heavier loads, gulls for coastal monitoring, and albatrosses for large marine areas.”
Neyri would not confirm how many birds died during or after the invasive surgery.
It only says that it “strives for 100 percent survival rate.”
The company presents the program as a tool for protecting confidential sites.
It claims that the swarm control device can be used to “monitor and guard sensitive sites.”
But security experts warn that biodrones could easily be used for espionage or military missions.
Because pigeons are everywhere in Russian cities, they can blend in with crowds while secretly carrying spy cameras or sensors.
The same technology could allow them to comb war zones, including Ukraine -without being detected as surveillance devices.
Neyri describes the modified birds as almost indistinguishable from the real ones.
“The PJN-1 biodrone pigeon differs from a regular bird only in the neural interface wire protruding from its head and a small backpack with electronics,” the company said.
“Its primary purpose is to provide virtually any type of monitoring—such as environmental or industrial—for search and rescue operations and serve as an additional layer of security.”
The company says biodrones are its latest breakthrough.
“Biodron is Neyri's 'new product,'” the company says.
It says that the project completely replaces traditional unmanned aerial vehicles.
“Instead of a flying machine, scientists and engineers began using live birds with a chip in their brain.
“Thanks to the neurochip, the biodrone operator can control the bird by loading a flight task onto it, just like a regular UAV.
“The important difference between a biodrone and a trained animal is that no training is required.
“After the operation, any animal becomes controlled remotely.
“Thanks to neurostimulation of certain areas of the brain, the bird itself “wants” to move in the right direction.”
The miniature backpack is powered by solar panels attached to the bird's back.
Neyri says the technology is safe for urban areas.
“The risk of a biodrone falling or crashing is low and equal to the natural probability of a bird falling from the sky. Therefore, biodrones can be safely used in cities.”
Inside the pigeon's brain, electrodes are connected to a stimulator attached to a backpack.
“The pigeon's brain contains electrodes connected to a stimulator and located in a backpack on the bird's back.
“The stimulator sends impulses that influence, for example, the bird's motivation to turn left or right. The system is positioned using GPS and other methods.”
The company has previously faced outrage for implanting neurochips in cows in an attempt to increase milk production.
Neyri is closely tied to Russia's state-backed technological machine.
He received funding from the National Technology “Initiative” (NTI) and investment structures associated with RDIF – the Kremlin's sovereign wealth fund.
RDIF is led by Kirill Dmitriev, a close Putin ally who is currently serving as negotiator in talks with the US over the war in Russia. Ukraine.
Neyri is also connected to the Skolkovo innovation center, which has long been considered Russia's Silicon Valley.
The bird control scheme echoes old Soviet experiments with fighting animals.
Russia has long trained dolphins for military use, including underwater patrol, mine-laying, and sabotage of enemy divers.
Images show these dolphins being used to guard naval bases, attack underwater targets or lay mines in covert operations.
The deadly program dates back to Soviet times.
And now Russia appears ready to unleash its forces. next biological weapons – pigeons whose minds are no longer theirs.
