Ukraine Deploys Fibre-Optic Drones to Counter Russian Electronic Warfare

Ukraine is increasingly employing advanced drone technology to counter Russian electronic warfare, particularly through the use of fiber-optic tethered drones that evade Russian jamming by maintaining a direct cable connection to operators. These drones, capable of covert operations in urban and forested environments, represent a significant tactical advancement, with Ukraine now matching or surpassing Russia's earlier use of similar technology. President Zelensky has announced new agreements with European partners and a leading U.S. defense firm to mass-produce hundreds of thousands of drones, underscoring the strategic importance of unmanned systems in Ukraine's defense efforts. Ukrainian drone strikes have inflicted severe damage on Russian military infrastructure, including bombers, warplanes, and supply chains, while also prompting new sanctions targeting Russian financial schemes. The conflict has spurred European military innovation, with the European Defence Agency launching joint trials of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to accelerate battlefield readiness by integrating lessons from Ukraine's combat experience. These developments highlight the transformative role of drones and robotics in modern warfare and European defense modernization.