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Russia’s Drone-Killing Laser Put to the Test—But Does It Actually Work?

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Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
Author
Russia’s Drone-Killing Laser Put to the Test—But Does It Actually Work?
Russian new laser weapon is being tested on a drone. (Source: RIA Kremlin Pool)

Russia has announced the testing of a new laser weapon system designed to counter drones. However, footage from the trial raises doubts about the effectiveness of the technology, suggesting that Moscow may be exaggerating its capabilities, Ukrainian military outlet Militarny reported on March 27.

During a visit to the Central Federal District, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev was presented with new military developments, including a laser system supposedly capable of downing small drones at short range, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.

A video of the test claims to show the laser locking onto a drone’s tail and burning through it for 20 seconds at a distance of nearly 420 meters.

However, instead of the tail being destroyed, the warhead at the front of the drone suddenly explodes—raising suspicions about the authenticity of the demonstration.

The footage suggests that either the video was staged for propaganda purposes, or that the developers needed to produce visible results to secure further funding.

Following the demonstration, Medvedev called for the deployment of “highly effective air defense systems,” including those “based on new physical principles"—a reference to laser-based weapons. However, it remains unclear at what stage Russia’s laser technology actually is, or whether the country can mass-produce such systems.

While Russia attempts to promote its laser-based defenses, Ukraine is making strides in developing its own energy weapons.

Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, recently announced that Ukraine is preparing to deploy its own domestically produced laser weapon, known as “Tryzub” (Trident), capable of shooting down Russian attack drones.

Russian drone allegedly “downed” by the new laser system. But it is clearly seen that the tail of the drone, which was impacted by the laser beam is undamaged. (Source: RIA Kremlin Pool)
Russian drone allegedly “downed” by the new laser system. But it is clearly seen that the tail of the drone, which was impacted by the laser beam is undamaged. (Source: RIA Kremlin Pool)
Russian drone allegedly “downed” by the new laser system. But it is clearly seen that the tail of the drone, which was impacted by the laser beam is undamaged. (Source: RIA Kremlin Pool)
Russian drone allegedly “downed” by the new laser system. But it is clearly seen that the tail of the drone, which was impacted by the laser beam is undamaged. (Source: RIA Kremlin Pool)

A separate laser system, distinct from Tryzub, was also showcased in a video shared by the Ukrainian defense innovation platform Brave1 with UNITED24 Media. The footage demonstrated a Ukrainian laser weapon firing at a 1.5mm-thick steel plate from 110 meters, burning a 7mm hole in just four seconds.

Brave1, a joint initiative between Ukraine’s government and military, plays a key role in fast-tracking advanced military technologies, including directed-energy weapons. These developments could provide Ukraine with a crucial edge in defending against Russia’s continued use of Shahed drones and other airborne threats.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukraine was working on a cutting-edge aerial system to counter Russia’s nightly barrages of Shahed suicide drones.

The innovative concept involves using an aerostat—essentially a tethered airship—as a launch platform for FPV interceptor drones. The system is being developed by the company Aerobavovna in collaboration with its partners.

A thermal imaging camera mounted on the aerostat will be used to detect enemy drones. Once a threat is identified, an interceptor drone is released from the aerostat and guided to its target by an operator. The technical specifications of the system and the drones remain classified.

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