20:06 14-11-2025

Russia Deploys New 50 km Fiber-Optic Long-Range Combat Drones

Russia begins using fiber-optic long-range drones with a 50 km reach. BI reports they resist electronic warfare and pose new risks for Ukrainian forces.

Russia’s Armed Forces have begun deploying long-range drones controlled via fiber-optic cable, Business Insider (BI) reports. According to the outlet, the new unmanned systems can operate at distances of up to 50 kilometers — a range that notably exceeds the capabilities of most fiber-guided drones currently used on the battlefield.

BI points out that the technology gives these UAVs a significant tactical advantage: unlike conventional drones, they are effectively immune to electronic warfare interference. Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mikhail Fedorov told the publication that such aircraft pose a serious threat to Ukrainian forces, warning that they could disrupt logistics and increase risks for frontline personnel.

The article emphasizes that the emergence of these systems reflects how the ongoing conflict is accelerating the development of new defense technologies, particularly in the unmanned sector.

Earlier, military correspondent Chingis Dambiev reported the deployment of a new Russian heavy drone, the Mangас, in the area of the special military operation. He noted that the hexacopters have already completed more than 230 successful combat sorties.