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Kremlin’s “Bio-Drone” Pigeons Fail to Deliver—but Still Get Funded
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A Russian startup has developed a system to implant brain chips into pigeons in an attempt to turn them into remotely controlled “bio-drones,” though experts question the technology’s viability.
According to T-Invariant on February 2, the project is likely intended more to attract government investment than to achieve practical results.
Neiry Group, a Russian tech firm, has conducted trials with pigeons that had electronic implants connected to their brains. During a demonstration in late 2025, several modified birds reportedly flew out of a laboratory and returned in response to signals from an operator.
It's official: pigeons can now be government-controlled spies — just like we always suspected!
— RT (@RT_com) November 25, 2025
Russian company Neiry developed a neurointerface kit that turns ordinary pigeons into 'BIO-DRONES'
Electrodes implanted in their brains let operators control their flight remotely pic.twitter.com/jgWHqSjSHb
Each bird was fitted with a camera, solar panel, and control module, with electrodes delivering targeted impulses to brain areas associated with navigation.
The information was reported by T-Invariant, an independent Russian outlet. According to their investigation, the project has received substantial backing, including nearly 1 billion rubles (approximately $11 million) in total funding.
The largest contributor was the National Technology Initiative (NTI), a government fund created by presidential decree, which provided 360 million rubles (approximately $4 million).
The company collaborates with the Artificial Intelligence Institute at Moscow State University, headed by Ekaterina Tikhonova, the daughter of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The experiment relies on neuromodulation—sending electrical impulses to specific brain regions to influence animal behavior. The birds are equipped with external control units mounted on their backs and receive directional instructions from a remote operator.
Earlier, Neiry reported conducting flight tests in Moscow using pigeons implanted with brain interfaces and equipped with backpack-mounted electronics, positioning the project as a new form of aerial monitoring.
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