Fiber-optic-controlled drones on rise in Russian military tactics – ISW

The Russian military is increasingly using drones connected to fiber optic cables to attack Ukrainian military positions. These drones allow Russian troops to bypass Ukrainian electronic warfare effectively.

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that.

On January 8, a spokesman for one of the Ukrainian brigades said that the Russian army is not yet systematically using fiber optic UAVs.

He said these drones are not as fast or agile as those that can fly at a higher altitude, making them more susceptible to being shot down by small weapons.

One of the Russian military bloggers said that the Russian troops were the first to successfully develop and integrate fiber optic drones into combat operations in Ukraine.

In turn, he warned that Ukraine's armed forces will also soon develop similar innovations. Therefore, the Russian troops will have to create new means to shoot down Ukrainian fiber optic drones.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War also point out in their report that Russian forces are increasingly using drones connected to fiber-optic cables, which allows them to counteract the Ukrainian defense forces' electronic warfare (EW) equipment.

According to information from one of the Ukrainian brigade's spokespeople, these drones are used along the entire front line.

Despite their frequent use, there is still a lack of consistency in their implementation. Fiber-optic drones have some drawbacks, as they are slower and less maneuverable than FPV drones, making them more vulnerable to damage from small firearms.

Key conclusions:

• Ukrainian forces struck Russia's state-owned "Kombinat Kristal" oil storage facility near Engels, Saratov region, on the night of January 7 to 8.
• Ukrainian forces struck a command post of the Russian 8th Combined Arms Army (CAA) (Southern Military District [SMD]) on January 8 in occupied Khartsyzk, Donetsk region.
• Russian forces advanced in the Kursk region, in Toretsk, and near Kurakhove.
• Russian forces are increasingly using drones attached to fiber optic cables in Ukraine.

It is worth mentioning that Ukraine successfully completed the testing phase of a line of drones with fiber-optic communication, and the process of obtaining a NATO code is nearing completion.

In turn, the Department of Defense Innovations of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine tested FPV drones controlled through a fiber-optic cable. According to reports, the demonstration was conducted for representatives from different branches and units of Ukraine's armed forces.

Furthermore, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense recently demonstrated FPV drones operated through fiber-optic cables to military personnel and prospective operators. According to Lieutenant Colonel Yevheniy Tkachenko, the head of the Unmanned Aviation Systems Department within the Ministry's Main Innovations Department, these drones will soon be extensively provided to serve the needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Earlier, it was reported that the German company HIGHCAT would test drones on the territory of Ukraine, which are controlled using coils with fiber optics, allowing the drone to work effectively in conditions of intense radio-electronic interference.

It was also reported that Ukrainian developers have created a new WarDog drone, which can conduct reconnaissance in rugged terrain and under the influence of enemy electronic warfare.