Ukraine Unleashes New Drones Russia Can’t Touch

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has approved nearly 40 new fiber-optic-guided drone models for operational use since the start of 2025, including around 15 systems certified in April, the ministry said in a press release.

Certification and codification are mandatory steps for all new military equipment before entering state procurement contracts, ensuring each platform meets operational standards, according to the ministry.

Among the newly approved systems is the “Hromilo Optic,” a domestically produced drone that uses fiber-optic cable for control instead of traditional radio signals.

The use of fiber-optic guidance makes the drones highly resistant to electronic warfare (EW) measures, as they do not emit detectable signals that can be jammed or intercepted.

The “Hromilo Optic” is equipped with modular video systems, including day cameras, twilight sensors, and thermal imaging devices, allowing for accurate target identification at all hours.

The drones are capable of carrying explosive payloads and have been used by Ukrainian forces to destroy tanks, armored vehicles, and enemy firing positions, the ministry said.

Currently, conventional methods to counter First-Person View (FPV) drones involve physical destruction using small arms or suppression via electronic jamming. However, drones controlled via fiber-optic cables are immune to these methods, making detection and disruption more difficult.

In addition to their resilience, fiber-optic drones provide operators with high-quality, low-latency video feeds, improving targeting precision and battlefield awareness.

Earlier tests showed that fiber-optic FPV drones could reach targets over 20 kilometers away, according to the defense technology platform Brave1.