In response to frequent drone attacks in the region, authorities in Zaporizhzhia Oblast have begun constructing specialized anti-drone tunnels by erecting netting structures over key roads, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Friday, as reported by Akzent.zp.ua.
The anti-drone netting tunnels allow civilians and military vehicles to move safely while keeping supply routes open near the frontline.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in southeastern Ukraine, contains active frontlines in the ongoing war with Russia. The region experiences frequent attacks, including drone strikes and artillery fire, putting both civilians and military supply routes at constant risk.
FPV drones controlled via fiber-optic cables rather than traditional radio signals have increasingly threatened roads up to 25-30 kilometers from the front line. In recent weeks, attacks by these drones have claimed at least four civilian lives.
“Since the enemy began deploying fiber-optic drones extensively, supply routes have become extremely dangerous, even 15-20 kilometers from the front. These tunnels are currently the only effective way to protect civilians and military personnel,” Fedorov said.
The first test segment, stretching 6.4 kilometers, has already proven effective. Authorities now plan to expand the network over tens of kilometers, with the ultimate goal of covering hundreds of kilometers across the region.
Fiber-optic FPV drones transmit video and control signals through a cable that unspools in flight, making them largely immune to electronic countermeasures. While their reliability and resistance to jamming are big advantages, their range is limited by cable length, and the fiber can become tangled or damaged during operations.
