In Moscow, a neurotechnology company called Neiry is claiming to have developed pigeons equipped with computer chips capable of controlling their flight, a project that has drawn scrutiny for its links to President Vladimir Putin’s daughter, Katerina Tikhonova. The company says its so-called “bio-drones” can be steered remotely by stimulating the birds’ brains through electrodes, while small solar-powered controllers and miniature cameras allow for observation of their movements. Times UK reports that although Neiry presents the project as intended for peaceful uses such as search and rescue or industrial monitoring, experts warn the technology could easily be adapted for military surveillance or reconnaissance.
Neiry began initial testing in November, fitting pigeons with neural interfaces that reportedly allow them to turn left or right in mid-flight. The company says biological carriers, unlike traditional drones, do not require battery swaps and can fly long distances of up to 400 kilometers per day without interruption. Founder Alexander Panov said the company intends to expand the program to other species, including ravens, for transporting heavier payloads. Panov has openly expressed support for the war in Ukraine and has described Russian troops as “too gentle,” raising concerns about the ideological motives behind the research.
The company’s work has received unprecedented levels of funding, according to sources cited by T-invariant, a website run by exiled Russian scientists. Supporters include the National Technology Initiative fund, established by Putin in 2014, and the Voskhod venture fund, founded by oligarch Vladimir Potanin. Neiry’s close partnership with Tikhonova’s artificial intelligence institute at Moscow State University has provided scientific oversight, including experiments on rats and cows using electrodes to influence behavior. Documents suggest that Tikhonova has been involved in research into invasive neural interfaces, underscoring the high-level backing of the program.
Katerina Tikhonova, widely acknowledged as Putin’s second daughter, has rarely spoken publicly about her family ties. She leads both the AI institute at Moscow State University and the Kremlin-backed Innopraktika research fund. In prior state media appearances, Tikhonova has promoted neurotechnology, describing how users of neural devices can gain insight into “the potential of technology, and himself, at the same time.” While Neiry’s experiments remain largely unverified by independent scientists, videos released by the company appear to show pigeons responding to remote commands, changing direction mid-flight, and landing at predetermined locations.
Panov has framed the research in ideological terms, suggesting that neural technology could be used to “reprogram” people. In social media posts cited by Times UK, he suggested that a portion of the Ukrainian population could be reprogrammed following the war, framing the prospect as more efficient than raising individuals under a controlled cultural system. Such statements raise ethical and international concerns, especially given the potential dual-use applications of Neiry’s technology for military or surveillance purposes.
The idea of controlling animal behavior through implanted electronics is not new. During the Cold War, the CIA experimented with controlling dogs, a project called MK Ultra, and attempted to deploy cats equipped with microphones and transmitters to spy on Soviet embassies under the project Acoustic Kitty. Both programs were ultimately deemed failures, with the feline spy reportedly killed by a car during its first mission. Neiry, however, claims its approach is more advanced, combining modern neural interfaces, miniaturized electronics, and artificial intelligence to achieve controlled flight.
Despite these technological claims, questions remain over the feasibility, safety, and morality of turning living creatures into bio-drones. Neiry’s offices reportedly contain satirical and psychedelic artwork, reflecting a curious juxtaposition of avant-garde aesthetics with highly controversial scientific experiments. Critics have also questioned the accuracy of the company’s results and the lack of independent verification of its neural-interface demonstrations.
The project illustrates the Kremlin’s growing investment in high-tech research with potential military applications, highlighting how emerging technologies can intersect with geopolitical ambitions. It also raises concerns about the involvement of Tikhonova, whose backing signals state-level interest in pushing the boundaries of neuroscience for both civilian and potentially coercive applications. Experts warn that even if the current focus is on pigeons, the underlying neural-interface technology could be adapted for other animals—or even humans—raising profound ethical and security implications.
As Neiry continues its experiments, the global community is watching with concern. The combination of cutting-edge neurotechnology, substantial state funding, and explicit links to the Russian presidency has created a scenario where the line between science fiction and strategic capability is dangerously blurred. The vision of turning living creatures into controllable drones, once a staple of dystopian fiction, now appears to be moving closer to reality in Moscow, raising urgent questions about the oversight, accountability, and potential weaponization of such technology.
