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Russia Fields Jam-Resistant 50km Fiber-Optic Drones—Ukraine to Deploy Interceptors and Cable Defenses
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Russia has begun deploying long-range, jam-resistant fiber-optic drones with a reach of up to 50 kilometers, posing a growing threat to Ukraine’s logistics, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told Business Insider on November 13.
According to Fedorov, the use of these drones marks the first confirmed instance of Russia fielding extended-range fiber-optic systems in combat. The 50-kilometer range exceeds that of most known models, which typically operate between 10 and 25 kilometers.
Fiber-optic drones maintain a physical cable link between the aircraft and its operator, making them effectively immune to electronic warfare—a capability that has reshaped the battlefield as traditional FPV drones face constant jamming, Business Insider wrote.
“Fiber-optic drones have shown us that drones immune to electronic warfare are, indeed, a very considerable threat to logistics and personnel,” Fedorov said. He added that Ukraine is already testing countermeasures with several brigades, including hit-to-kill interceptors and attempts to sever the cables mid-flight.
On some roads near the frontline, netting was installed above the supply routes to protect Ukrainian vehicles from the drone threat.
Ukraine has observed isolated uses of the new long-range system in the eastern Donetsk region, including around city of Pokrovsk, according to Business Insider.
Despite their threat, Fedorov noted the drones remain difficult to operate: they are heavy, vulnerable to wind, and limited by environmental obstacles that can snag the cable. The large fiber-optic spool also reduces maneuverability and payload capacity.
Analysts have warned since October that Russia was attempting to extend the reach of its fiber-optic FPV drones, though the latest confirmation from Kyiv suggests that the technology is now appearing on the front line.
The deployment shows how the war continues to accelerate drone innovation on both sides. As Russia adapts to electronic-warfare conditions with unjammable systems, Ukraine is increasingly investing in autonomous drones that do not require pilots and can rely on AI for navigation, Business Insider reported.
Fedorov called fiber-optic drones a “game changer” but said Ukraine is already moving toward the next phase: “We are looking for a counter-adaptation… and that will push the battlefield more toward autonomous drones, which we expect to be the next stage in this war.”
Previously, it was reported that Ukraine has launched serial production of a new domestically developed drone designed to intercept Russian-Iranian Shahed-type drones, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced.
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