Russian forces actively use new-type drones on frontline - ISW
Russian forces shell the Ukrainian Armed Forces with new-type drones (photo: Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Russian military forces are increasingly using drones connected to fiber-optic cables for attacks on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions. This makes them resistant to radio-electronic warfare (REW) interference, reports the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A spokesperson for one of the Ukrainian brigades reported on January 8 that the Russian army has not yet systematically used fiber-optic drones.
According to him, these drones are slower and less maneuverable than unmanned aerial vehicles with surveillance capabilities from high altitudes, making them more vulnerable to being shot down with small arms.
One of the Russian military bloggers claimed that the Russian forces were the first to successfully develop and integrate fiber-optic drones into combat operations in Ukraine.
However, he warned that the Ukrainian Armed Forces will soon develop similar innovations. Therefore, the Russian military will need to develop new means to shoot down Ukrainian fiber-optic drones.
Development of Ukraine's drone army
As of today, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are fully supplied with domestically produced drones. Throughout 2024, this sector has reached unprecedented scales.
Ukrainian military forces install multiple shotguns on drones to shoot down Russian drones before they reach their targets.
In total, Ukraine already manufactures 96% of the drones needed for its frontline operations.
