Russia using lasers to down Ukraine’s long-range drones: what can be done?

According to Defense Express, there is now confirmed evidence that Ukrainian long-range strike drones have been destroyed by Russian laser-based air defense systems — raising questions about the future of Ukraine’s deep strike capabilities.

Russian mobile fire units are now armed with laser systems capable of downing Ukrainian UAVs. Previously, only footage from training grounds showed these weapons taking out decoys, but new material confirms their combat use. Videos circulating online show the destruction of an FP-1 long-range strike drone — publicly unveiled only in May this year but already deployed successfully against targets inside Russia.

Reports of Russian combat lasers first emerged when they showcased the LASS (Low-Altitude Laser Defending System), believed to have been developed by China’s Academy of Engineering Physics. 

Later, footage surfaced of an unidentified laser intercepting targets on a training range, which led some to doubt their real-world effectiveness. The latest evidence suggests that Russia now considers laser systems a viable option for countering long-range UAVs, potentially expanding its air defense toolkit.

The LASS reportedly has a power output of 10–20 kW, requires 10 seconds to neutralize a target, and can destroy drones at a range of 1.5 km or blind them at 3 km. These short-range systems function similarly to typical anti-aircraft artillery but may be more effective than the machine guns usually mounted on mobile defense units.

To counter such systems, Ukraine may need to rely more heavily on cruise and ballistic missiles, which are harder for lasers to hit, or to increase the speed and altitude of its long-range drones — much like Russia did with its Shahed variants. In short, this marks another step in Russia’s air defense evolution, potentially scalable through cooperation with China. 

For Ukraine, Defense Express concludes, the best response is to continue expanding its missile program.

• In July 2025, Russia launched about 6,200 'kamikaze' drones against Ukraine, which is a new monthly record – these actions are part of a tactic to exhaust Ukrainian air defense.