First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Mr. Mykhailo Fedorov, said that Russia has begun deploying UAVs ( drones) with a long-range optical cable with a range of about 50km in some frontline areas, including Donetsk and Pokrovsk.
Fedorov admitted that fiber optic UAVs are a significant threat to logistics and Ukrainian soldiers due to their almost immune capability to electronic warfare systems. With an operating range of 50km - surpassing any fiber optic UAV that has ever appeared on the battlefield - the danger level has increased.
At some frontline locations, the threat from the UAVs was so great that Ukrainian soldiers had to cover nets along the supply routes to protect vehicles from the risk of being attacked.
An officer of the No. 3 Ukrainian Army Corps nicknamed Artem said that Russian UAVs often hid on the roadside of logistics routes, waiting for armored vehicles to pass and then suddenly attack.
This type of ambush occurs every week and causes damage to both people and vehicles in Ukraine, according to officer Artem.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said last month that Russian developers had put into use a 50km optical cable FPV UAV, although Moscow had not confirmed the information.
optical cable UAVs operate on thin, long coils to maintain stable communication with the operator, making them more dangerous than traditional UAVs because they can hardly be deactivated by electronic warfare.
Normally, the most feasible way to intercept is to shoot down with hunting guns - a task that requires quick detection, good reflection, high accuracy and luck.
In this situation, Ukraine is urgently researching response technology to protect logistics and minimize the risk of disruption. Measures include developing intercepted UAVs, organizing ambushes and finding ways to cut UAV control cables while flying.
We are looking for a new adaptation, and that could push the battlefield to the stage of autonomous UAVs something we predict will be the next step in the conflict, Fedorov said.
Self-driving UAVs do not require controls, using artificial intelligence to guide and make decisions. To maintain the advantage in the arms race with Russia, Ukraine is investing heavily in this technology.
