Russia is deploying fixed-wing drones equipped with fiber-optic cables, rendering them immune to electronic warfare interference, according to a Ukrainian drone expert. The tactic, confirmed by Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, an advisor to Ukraine’s defense ministry, represents a significant escalation in the drone warfare that dominates the eastern Ukrainian battlefield.
Beskrestnov told Business Insider this week that Ukrainian interceptor drone pilots have observed at least five instances of Russia utilizing the Molniya (“lightning” in Russian) drones tethered to their operators via fiber-optic cables. These drones, with a range of 30 to 60 miles, have been deployed on strike missions near the front lines in the Donetsk region, a heavily contested and occupied area.
While fiber-optic connections are increasingly common for smaller, first-person view (FPV) drones, the Molniyas mark the first confirmed use of this technology on larger, fixed-wing platforms by Russia, Beskrestnov said. The US military also confirmed in late 2025 that Russia had begun employing fiber-optic Molniyas. According to a US military weapons information portal, a Molniya drone equipped with 25 miles of cabling can carry a payload of approximately 10 pounds, though longer cables reduce payload capacity.
The fiber-optic cables, while slowing the drones’ speed, maintain a secure connection, shielding them from electronic jamming. This immunity to interference is crucial in a conflict saturated with electronic warfare attempts. The battlefield itself bears witness to this tactic, with video footage showing a network of fiber-optic cables strewn across fields, creating a hazard for Ukrainian soldiers who fear potential booby traps.
Russia has historically used Molniya drones for direct strike missions, detonating them upon impact with targets. However, recent months have seen modifications to their role, including utilizing them as airborne carriers for smaller FPV quadcopter drones, effectively acting as “motherships.” The Russian military is also leveraging the drones for reconnaissance, equipping them with advanced technology to create cost-effective intelligence-gathering platforms.
Fixed-wing drones like the Molniya and the Supercam, used for reconnaissance, differ significantly from the box-frame, four-propeller design of FPV quadcopters. They generally offer longer flight distances. In response to this evolving threat, Ukraine is investing heavily in the development of low-cost interceptor drones designed to target Russian fixed-wing drones on strike or reconnaissance missions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this week that Ukraine’s defense industry can now produce at least 2,000 “effective and combat-proven” interceptors daily. Some models are priced as low as $1,200, a fraction of the estimated $10,000 to $100,000 cost of Russian drones.
Russia’s defense ministry and embassy in the US did not respond to requests for comment regarding the use of fiber-optic drones.
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