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Electronic Warfare How Fiber-Optic FPV Drones Are Redefining the Ukrainian Battlefield.
Since late 2024, a new type of system has appeared on the battlefield in Ukraine: the fiber-optic drone, capable of transmitting real-time images to its operator without being affected by electromagnetic interference. Based on a technology long used in wire-guided torpedoes, this device was rapidly integrated into Russian arsenals before being adopted by Ukrainian forces in early 2025. Though its concept appears simple, it provides a tactical advantage in a conflict where electronic systems have become as decisive as ground or aerial forces.
Fiber-optic drones, immune to jamming thanks to a cable-based connection, were first widely used by Russia in the Kursk region to bypass Ukrainian electronic defenses and accurately strike targets. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)
Unlike conventional quadcopters, which rely on high-frequency radio links to transmit first-person view (FPV) video streams, fiber-optic drones carry a spool of cable up to 20 kilometers long. The cable unrolls during flight, maintaining a physical connection with the operator and making the system immune to jamming, since the signal is transmitted through the fiber rather than through the air. The first drones of this kind, adapted from Chinese models, were widely deployed by Moscow during its offensive in the Kursk region, where they were used to locate and strike Ukrainian positions without being affected by decoys or the advanced jamming systems deployed by Kyiv.
This immunity to jamming is not the only advantage of fiber-optic drones. The cable enables significantly higher bandwidth than radio, resulting in superior image quality and a stable stream even when flying at low altitudes through forests or urban terrain. During a demonstration on January 2, 2025, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence's Innovation Directorate showcased more than a dozen domestic models to representatives from different branches of the Armed Forces. Some of these drones could carry payloads of up to 3 kg. UAV pilots in attendance witnessed firsthand the tactical and technical capabilities of the systems, confirming their potential for rapid integration into field operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Yevhenii Tkachenko explained that the continuous advancement of enemy capabilities in wire-guided drones has made it essential for Ukraine to regain technological parity. He emphasized the responsiveness of domestic manufacturers, who have demonstrated the ability to adapt their innovations to battlefield conditions quickly and to scale up production in line with operational requirements.
Despite their advantages, fiber-optic systems involve compromises. The cable—approximately 1.2 kilograms for 10 kilometers—and its spool reduce the explosive payload the drone can carry. A Ukrainian model, the Reboff, normally capable of carrying 4 kilograms of explosives, is limited to around 1.2 kilograms when deployed with 10 kilometers of cable. Maneuverability is also affected, as the cable cannot tolerate sharp bends or abrupt movements. Pilots must avoid tight turns or sudden accelerations, which could sever or entangle the cable. Additionally, these drones are restricted to a range of about 20 kilometers, far less than some modern radio-controlled drones that can reach up to 200 kilometers.
The cable enables significantly higher bandwidth than radio, resulting in superior image quality and a stable stream even when flying through forests or urban terrain at low altitudes. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)
China has also begun testing fiber-optic drones within its 81st Group Army, as shown by footage broadcast on state television in late April 2025. This transfer of technology from the Ukrainian battlefield reflects growing global interest in systems that can withstand electronic warfare environments. Maintaining a reliable, interference-free connection is now seen as essential in the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
In Ukraine, industrial workshops and specialized teams have rapidly adapted to close the technological gap. By January 2025, General Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed that fiber-optic drones with a 20-kilometer range had entered service, and that over twenty certified models were now being produced by eleven Ukrainian companies. This production ramp-up forms part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on foreign supplies, as deliveries of heavy equipment under U.S. agreements remain subject to political uncertainty. Ukrainian development teams continue working on reducing spool weight, improving cable durability, and optimizing drone platforms to increase payload capacity while retaining the advantages of fiber control.
On the ground, new defensive tactics are being deployed to counter these drones. Nets along key logistical routes are intended to entangle the cable and neutralize the drone, while thermal or mechanical systems to cut the fiber are also under development. More broadly, drone warfare has entered a cycle of continuous adaptation, with each advance in detection or jamming prompting innovations. Fiber-optic drones are the latest and most concrete example of this escalating technological race.
The use of fiber-optic drones marks a new phase in modern warfare, where control over the electromagnetic spectrum is as critical as traditional firepower. Their adoption by both sides in the Ukraine conflict and their rapid international proliferation, underscore the increasing role of electronic warfare and the urgent need for resilient, interference-proof systems, even if they entail logistical and operational constraints.