Russia's unjammable drones are now long-range, and Ukraine's logistics are in danger

"Russia has begun using long-range, jam-proof drones controlled by fiber-optic cables to threaten Ukraine's logistics, a senior government official told Business Insider. Mykhailo Fedorov, the first deputy prime minister of Ukraine and its minister of digital transformation, said that Russia is now fielding fiber-optic drones with a range of 50 kilometers (31 miles), which appears to be the first official confirmation from Kyiv that Moscow is using these weapons in combat. That 50-kilometer range exceeds what most known fiber-optic drones can achieve on the battlefield."

"Fiber-optic drones use spools of long, thin cables that maintain a steady link with the pilot, making them effectively immune to electronic warfare tactics - and, thus, more dangerous in combat. Typically, the best chance that a soldier has to intercept a fiber-optic FPV drone is by shooting it down with a shotgun. But the kill requires awareness, a quick reaction, precision, and a lot of luck."

"That 50-kilometer range exceeds what most known fiber-optic drones can achieve on the battlefield. Fedorov, speaking through a translator, said in an interview this week that the development "really impacts our logistics." He added that Ukraine is developing technology to counter fiber-optic drones and is testing these concepts with several brigades."

Russia is deploying long-range, jam-proof drones controlled via fiber-optic cables with an operational reach near 50 kilometers. The 50-kilometer reach exceeds most known fiber-optic drone capabilities and creates a new battlefield threat. Fiber-optic drones use spools of long, thin cable to maintain a steady, jam-proof link with operators, making them effectively immune to electronic warfare. Those drones pose significant risks to logistics and personnel because interception typically requires shooting them down at close range, demanding awareness, quick reactions, and precision. Ukraine is developing and testing counter-drone technologies with several brigades to mitigate the threat to supply routes.

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