Sarah Hooper
Published November 27, 2025 1:29pm
Updated November 27, 2025 1:30pm
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Previous Page Next PageRussia is pioneering remote-controlled spy pigeons fitted with brain implants that can ‘fly at will’.
A state-linked Moscow neurotechnology firm has bragged that its operators can steer flocks across the sky, likely to trigger alarm among defence experts and animal-rights groups.
Researchers have launched field tests of so-called ‘bird-biodrones’ known as PJN-1— ordinary pigeons surgically implanted with neural chips that allow technicians to direct their flight routes.
The birds can be steered remotely in real time, with operators able to upload flight commands by stimulating targeted regions of the brain.
The pigeon then ‘believes it wants to fly’ in the instructed direction, claim sources at Neiry, which has deep ties to the Kremlin’s hi-tech innovation machine.
The pigeons also wear solar-powered backpacks (Picture: Stock)
Surgery is carried out in which electrodes are inserted into the brain with millimetre precision.
The birds wear tiny solar-powered backpacks containing onboard electronics, GPS tracking, and the receiver transmits signals into the neural implant.
Chillingly, Neiry insists that ‘no training is required’, declaring that any animal becomes ‘remotely controllable after the operation’ – with pigeons capable of covering 310 miles a day, or more than 1,850 miles in a week.
‘Right now, the solution works on pigeons, but any bird can be used as the carrier,’ said Alexander Panov, company founder.
‘For transporting heavier payloads, we plan to use ravens, for coastal monitoring — seagulls, and for large marine territories — albatrosses.’
The process is easy to implement on pigeons without training (Picture: East2West)
The company hasn’t revealed how many birds died during the procedure, but said they’re striving for a ‘100% survival rate’.
The flock-steering technology — which the company says can be used for ‘monitoring and guarding sensitive facilities’ — may be transferred into military or intelligence applications.
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Pigeons are already a mainstay of Russian urban life, and their ability to blend into civilian environments could make them ideal for discreet surveillance.
But some fear the spy cameras could also be used in war zones.
‘The risk of a biodrone falling or crashing is low and equals the natural probability of a bird falling from the sky. Therefore, biodrones can be safely used in cities,’ they added.
The company has already faced criticism for tampering with cow brains in a bid to boost milk yields.
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