Russian forces have begun employing a new tactic to attack Ukraine's energy infrastructure by using small fiber-optic FPV drones that are virtually immune to electronic warfare (EW) systems. These drones have already been used to strike high-voltage electrical substations in Ukraine's Sumy region.

The drones are controlled via a thin fiber-optic cable that unspools during flight. Unlike conventional FPV drones that rely on radio signals, fiber-optic drones emit no radio frequency, making them highly resistant to electronic jamming. This enables operators to maintain stable control even in areas heavily protected by Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.

The UK-based Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) has confirmed, through geolocation analysis and video verification, successful strikes on several 330 kV and 110 kV electrical substations located between 16 and 26 kilometers from the front line. According to analysts, the new tactic is designed to gradually disable electricity distribution infrastructure supplying both Ukrainian military units and civilian communities in frontline areas.

The cost of a single fiber-optic FPV drone is estimated at approximately $2000, yet it is capable of destroying electrical equipment worth millions of dollars. This makes such systems among the most cost-effective precision strike weapons against critical infrastructure. Analysts note that the growing use of fiber-optic drones significantly reduces the effectiveness of traditional electronic warfare systems, forcing both sides to develop new defensive measures, including physical barriers, anti-drone nets, and kinetic interception systems.

The rapid evolution of drone warfare comes amid the continuing escalation of the air campaign between Russia and Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine has expanded the range of its own drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure and oil facilities, while Russia continues to improve technologies designed to penetrate Ukrainian air defense and electronic warfare systems. Military experts believe that competition in unmanned technologies has become one of the defining features of modern warfare.

 

Defense specialists describe the introduction of fiber-optic FPV drones as one of the most significant technological developments of the Russia–Ukraine war. The first operational systems appeared on the battlefield in 2024 as a response to the widespread deployment of electronic warfare equipment. Since then, both Russia and Ukraine have accelerated production of fiber-optic drones because they remain effective in heavily contested electromagnetic environments. However, the technology also has limitations: operational range is constrained by the length of the fiber-optic cable — typically 20 to 30 kilometers — while the cable itself can become entangled or damaged by natural obstacles.

According to military analysts, the attacks are often carried out in multiple stages. The first drone destroys protective anti-drone nets or engineering barriers surrounding a target, while a second drone strikes the most vulnerable components of the substation. In particular, attackers aim at high-voltage power transformers, each valued at approximately $3.5 million, which are typically housed inside reinforced concrete protective structures. Experts note that replacing such equipment can take several months, especially under wartime conditions.

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10.07.2026 02:40