Ukraine Deploys Fiber-Optic Drones Striking Targets Over 40 Km Amid Electronic Warfare

Ukraine has significantly advanced its military drone technology with fiber-optic controlled drones now capable of striking targets over 40 km away, doubling the range from previous tests. These drones maintain communication via ultra-thin fiber-optic cables, making them immune to electronic jamming and interception, a critical advantage in the electronic warfare environments of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have deployed these tethered drones, which provide stable control and high-definition video transmission even in GPS-degraded and urban environments. Ukrainian developers and tech clusters like Brave1 have focused on overcoming challenges related to drone payload capacity and cable management to extend operational range and effectiveness. The fiber-optic drones, such as the modified Darts kamikaze drone with a 50-km range, have become integral to precision strikes and reconnaissance missions where traditional radio-controlled drones fail due to jamming. This technological edge is part of Ukraine's broader effort to maintain and increase its battlefield advantage amid ongoing hostilities.