Drones deployed by Russian forces are becoming an increasingly effective weapon along Ukraine’s road networks, turning once-safe routes into dangerous ambush zones and creating significant challenges for Ukrainian troops. According to a report by Business Insider (BI), these UAVs are now frequently targeting and destroying Ukrainian military vehicles on the move.

Ukrainian officers interviewed by the publication said Russian forces are making growing use of fiber-optic-guided drones, which are almost immune to electronic warfare systems. These drones, the report notes, function similarly to roadside bombs encountered by US troops in the Middle East — but with a crucial difference: they can climb to higher altitudes, track their targets from above, and strike with greater precision. This makes them not only more lethal but also harder to detect and destroy.

Soldiers told BI that Russian drones often land on the roadside and lie in wait until a Ukrainian armored vehicle passes, before detonating and destroying it. Such incidents, they said, occur with alarming frequency and result in losses of both personnel and equipment.

Although fiber-optic drones have a shorter operational range compared to conventional UAVs, they are still capable of crossing the frontline and setting up ambushes. Former deputy commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade, identified as Artem, said that roads previously considered safe have now become potential kill zones. The threat has slowed troop movements, forcing soldiers to remain in their positions longer than planned.

In response, Ukrainian forces have begun installing mesh barriers over key roadways, effectively creating protective tunnels that slightly improve survival chances. However, even these defenses are not foolproof. Drone unit commander Alex Eine explained that Russian operators are adept at finding weaknesses in these obstacles.

The report concludes that drones now pose a serious and evolving threat to armored vehicles. Ukrainian troops are attempting to bolster their defenses with additional armor and electronic countermeasures, but such efforts are often ineffective against fiber-optic systems, which remain unaffected by jamming.