Russia's only fiber optic plant halts after Ukrainian strike, China quadruples prices
Photo: Russians are completely dependent on fiber optic supplies from China (Russian media)
Since May 2025, the only optical fiber production plant in Russia has been shut down after Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks. At the same time, China, which now supplies 100% of fiber optics to Russia, has raised prices fourfold, according to Russian media.
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The Optic Fiber Systems plant in Saransk, which is still out of operation after Ukraine's strikes, previously produced about 4 million kilometers of fiber optics per year. Two dozen Russian cable plants then used it to manufacture fiber optic cables.
Now, Russia is completely dependent on optical fiber supplies from China. At the same time, the Chinese have raised prices for Russians by 2.5-4 times since 2026.
Cost was influenced by growing demand
At the beginning of 2025, the cost of G.652D fiber, which is used in fiber optic cables, was 16 yuan ($2.34) per 1 km in China. By the end of the year, the price had risen to 25 yuan ($3.65), and in January 2026, to 40 yuan ($5.85).
The rise in the price of fiber optics is due to the rapid growth in demand, as it is used in drones.
In 2025, Russia consumed 10.5% of the world's fiber optic production, although previously this figure did not exceed 1%. In total, last year, Russia purchased almost 60 million km of optical fiber.
The increase in the cost of fiber optics is quite natural, as there is a global shortage due to the development of AI and the construction of infrastructure for it.
The increase in purchase prices has led to the introduction of full prepayment by suppliers. As a result, finished products may become even more expensive.
Recently, Russia began using fiber optic drones in the war against Ukraine, which are capable of covering distances of up to 50 km.
Russian drones, which are controlled via fiber optic cables and protected from interference, have a real impact on the logistics of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. They pose a significant threat to supplies and Ukrainian defenders.
