Ukrainian Fiber-Optic Drone Strikes Russian Troop Hideout in Underground Pipeline

A fiber-optic guided drone operated by Ukraine’s 5th Separate Assault Brigade successfully struck a Russian troop shelter hidden inside a water pipeline along the 'Siverskyi Donets–Donbas' system near Kramatorsk.

The brigade released footage of the operation on March 28, showing the drone entering an opening in the pipeline, maneuvering through its confined space, and detonating at the enemy position. According to the unit, the shelter served as a staging and evacuation point for Russian infantry.

The drone maintained a stable connection throughout the mission thanks to its fiber-optic control system, which allowed uninterrupted signal transmission and clear visuals despite the enclosed environment.

“We used a fiber-optic drone. We regularly operate through these pipelines since the enemy often gathers there. They also use them as evacuation routes for the wounded. Although the pipes are damaged in places, they continue underground. Thanks to FPV drones with fiber-optic control, which maintain a stable connection, we can reach them even there,” explained Ivan Kyryliv, commander of the brigade’s reconnaissance battalion, in an interview with ArmyTV.

Russian forces have previously used pipelines for troop movement and positioning. In early March, during the Kursk campaign, Russian reconnaissance and sabotage groups attempted to infiltrate near the city of Sudzha via the Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod gas pipeline. Ukrainian forces detected one such group as it exited the pipeline and targeted it with artillery and HIMARS-launched cluster munitions.

Similar tactics were observed during the battle for Avdiivka.

Since January, the cost of fiber-optic drones in Ukraine has dropped significantly due to scaled-up production. Prices are expected to decrease further as Ukrainian companies continue to expand output.

Currently, China remains the main supplier of fiber-optic cable spools used by both Russian and Ukrainian FPV drone manufacturers. However, Ukrainian facilities have begun producing domestically wound fiber-optic spools, improving reliability and reducing the risk of cable breakage during flights.

Earlier, operators of the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Aerial Systems struck a rare Russian TOS-2 “Tosochka” flamethrower system with FPV drones. The brigade commander shared a video of the strike on his Telegram channel on March 29.