Russian FPV drone crews are using aircraft capable of striking Ukrainian troops and military equipment up to 50 kilometers away, bringing targets deep behind the front line within range. Both radio-controlled and fiber-optic drones are deployed for these missions, with their operating distances depending on the equipment used.

Speaking to RIA Novosti, a serviceman with the call sign Akhmed said he had personally flown a radio-controlled FPV drone over a distance of 46 kilometers. Akhmed leads a drone crew in the 1431st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps, part of Russia’s Sever group of forces. He explained that fiber-optic drones carry cable spools of varying lengths, selected according to the mission.

For strikes near the front line, operators rely on drones equipped with 10-15-kilometer cables. These aircraft are used to attack Ukrainian soldiers, fortified positions and temporary storage facilities. Longer spools, measuring 20–25 kilometers, allow crews to ambush Ukrainian vehicles moving along field roads and routes leading toward military positions.

When targets are located farther behind Ukrainian lines, the crews deploy fiber-optic drones with cables extending from 35 to 50 kilometers. Their targets include artillery guns, rocket launchers, tanks and heavy trucks transporting drones and ammunition toward the front.

Akhmed also described how the crews locate their targets before launching an attack. Aerial reconnaissance teams monitor areas close to the line of contact as well as locations deeper inside enemy territory. Once they identify Ukrainian military assets, the reconnaissance operators relay the information to FPV drone crews, which then carry out the strikes.