Russia upgrades "suicide" UAV, attack range is no different from missile

Russia has developed a new fiber optic cable with a length of up to 50 km for first-person view [FPV] drones, a potential step forward in drone warfare technology.

If confirmed, this would be the longest fiber-optic cable used in the Ukraine conflict, surpassing the previously reported maximum range of 41 km. However, this claim is still awaiting independent verification.

Russia has developed a fiber optic cable system up to 50km long for FPV drones. Photo: MTS

The development underscores the escalating technology race in unmanned systems, where fiber optics offer a key advantage by allowing drones to operate beyond the range of electronic jamming, potentially reshaping the range and effectiveness of these weapons on the modern battlefield.

FPV drones, small and agile quadcopters controlled in real time via video feed, have become a cornerstone of modern warfare, especially in the conflict in Ukraine.

The 50km long fiber optic cable roll was posted on Clash Report.

Unlike traditional drones that rely on radio signals, which can be disrupted by electronic warfare systems, fiber optic FPV drones use thin, lightweight cables to maintain a direct, high-bandwidth connection to the operator.

This cable, typically less than 0.1mm thick, is uncoiled from the drone's onboard coil while in flight, ensuring a stable, high-quality, interference-free video feed and control link.

The 50-kilometer cable will significantly expand the drones’ capabilities, allowing them to reach deep into enemy territory and target logistics centers or command posts that were previously out of reach, a task previously only performed by air-attack missile systems.

This range would dwarf previous UAV systems, which typically operate at distances of 10 to 20 kilometers. Ukraine previously set a record with a 41-kilometer cable in January 2025.

However, the feasibility of a 50-km cable raises questions about weight, durability, and the logistical challenges of deploying such a long and fragile wire in combat.