Russia tests new fiber-optic drone
Photo: Russian Molniya drone (Facebook.com/DSNSSUMY)
Russia has developed a new fiber-optic drone with a range of up to 50 kilometers that resembles the Molniya UAV, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister's advisor Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov.
Russia tests new fiber-optic drone
"The enemy is testing a new fiber-optic fixed-wing drone. They have announced plans to begin mass production of a Molniya-type UAV with a flight range of 50 kilometers," the expert said.
According to "Flash," the main idea is to make strike drones carrying warheads of up to 10 kilograms invisible to Ukrainian electronic intelligence systems. This works in a similar way to AI-powered drones.
The threat posed by the new drone
According to Russia's concept, the new drones are also designed to resist electronic warfare (EW) systems.
#Russia is testing a new fixed-wing fiber-optic drone pic.twitter.com/uQ7i7q2LyP
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) July 8, 2026
At the same time, the high-quality video feed will allow operators to fly the fixed-wing drone at low altitudes, maneuvering around obstacles.
"Flying at low altitudes makes targets harder to detect on radar," Beskrestnov concluded.
Russian Molniya drone recently struck a Ukrainian facility. "Flash" pointed out that it had no control antennas at all, only a camera and an onboard computer.
Russian forces also launched several unmanned surface vessels against Ukraine's coastline. All enemy naval drones were detected in advance and destroyed at sea far from the shore, "Flash" said.
