The Times
In the world’s leading armies, it was once customary for artillery units to fire a few rounds and then quickly change positions to complicate enemy counter-battery fire. This tactic, known as “shoot and scoot,” aimed to minimise the risk of retaliation. However, Russia’s expanded invasion of Ukraine and the widespread use of small drones by both sides have fundamentally altered this battlefield practice.
Small, highly manoeuvrable, and resistant to jamming, Russia’s most advanced fibre-optic drones have introduced a new dimension to modern warfare. When operated by skilled personnel, these drones can slip into buildings and underground shelters to locate Ukrainian vehicles hidden from conventional surveillance methods.
The omnipresence of surveillance drones along the 800-mile front line of this prolonged conflict means that any vehicle moving in the open is swiftly detected. Artillery units have adapted by tucking their howitzers into well-concealed dugouts or blending them into existing structures between fire missions. This strategy reduces the risk posed by larger, less flexible drones that struggle to navigate confined spaces or deliver precise strikes on hidden targets.
However, first-person-view (FPV) drones—small, lightweight, and controlled remotely through a visor displaying the drone’s live feed—can bypass these defences. Unlike larger reconnaissance drones, FPV drones can fly close to the ground and enter tight spaces where artillery units attempt to hide.
Most FPV drones rely on radio signals for control, making them susceptible to jamming. To counter Ukraine’s highly effective electronic warfare capabilities, Russian drone units have increasingly turned to fibre-optic drones, which maintain a physical connection to their operators via spools of millimetre-thin wire extending over miles.
While fibre-optic drones offer significant advantages, they are not without drawbacks. Their high cost limits their widespread deployment, and their trailing wires, visible under certain conditions, can reveal the operator’s location to enemy forces. Additionally, the wires are prone to tangling, requiring exceptional skill for effective deployment.
Recognising the effectiveness of fibre-optic drones, Ukraine is also investing in the technology, ensuring that the tactical advantage is not one-sided. As both nations refine their drone warfare capabilities, the battle for supremacy in the skies—and in the hidden spaces of the battlefield—continues to evolve.
The shift towards fibre-optic drones underscores a broader trend in modern warfare: the continuous adaptation of tactics in response to emerging technologies. As concealment and electronic countermeasures become less reliable, success on the battlefield increasingly hinges on innovation and operator expertise.
