Ukrainian journalist Andrii Tsaplienko has released footage showing the combat use of a new Ukrainian weapon. The video shows a directed beam, similar to a laser, cutting the fiber-optic cables used by Russian forces to control so-called “waiting drones.”
Severing the cable instantly deprives the drone of control, effectively neutralizing it without the need to shoot down the target itself.
The beam looks spherical only because of the camera
According to the journalist, the video was recorded by a Russian military drone, which makes the beam appear unusual on screen.
Because of the camera angle, it appears to be a spherical light, although in reality it is directed from above toward the fiber-optic cable and does not pass through it.
This optical illusion occurs due to the footage's perspective and light reflections, creating the impression of a spherical impulse.
Sunray laser system prototype may operate silently
Earlier, The Atlantic reported that Ukrainian engineers and military specialists had created a prototype Sunray laser system.
The system can silently destroy drones at a distance, making it a promising element of modern counter-drone warfare.
The development is part of a broader effort to build a Ukrainian air defense system, sometimes compared to Israel’s Iron Dome.
Compact system operating without noise or flashes
One of the key features of the Sunray system is its compact size. The installation is small enough to fit in the trunk of a standard pickup truck.
During testing, the system detected and destroyed a drone target within seconds, producing no noticeable noise or a bright visible beam.
Dozens of times cheaper than Western equivalents
The estimated cost of the Ukrainian laser system is several hundred thousand dollars, significantly cheaper than similar Western solutions.
For example, the American HELIOS laser weapon system can cost tens of millions of dollars.
If Ukrainian developments prove effective in combat conditions, such systems could become a low-cost, scalable method for countering drones, which today represent one of the main threats on the battlefield.
