Russia Deploys New Fiber-Optic Sea Drone 'Skalupa' in Combat Operations, Claims Kremlin Media

On March 31, Russian state news agency TASS reported that Russia has deployed the fiber-optic sea drone 'Skalupa' in combat operations against Ukraine. This development, if validated, would represent a significant milestone as it would be the first documented use of a fiber-optic sea drone in active warfare. Notably, the fiber-optic control system makes such drones resilient to electronic warfare, as the signal is transmitted through a physical cable rather than via radio frequencies.

'Skalupa' is being developed by the company 'Ushkuynik', which is also the manufacturer of the Russian fiber-optic drone KVN. This drone has been described by Ukraine as one of the most widely used first-person view (FPV) drones on the battlefield. The name 'Skalupa' translates to 'eggshell' in Russian, indicating its intended purpose as a mother platform capable of carrying multiple smaller drones.

This configuration was showcased in a video published on the 'Ushkuynik' Telegram channel in February. In addition to its potential use on the battlefield against Ukraine, Russian officials and pro-war commentators have suggested that such drones could be supplied to 'friendly countries' as part of a broader confrontation with the West.

Despite the apparent innovations, experts have cautioned against excessive optimism regarding this announcement. Viktor Perfetsky, head of analytics at the Ukrainian Defense Industry Council, stated in an interview with the Kyiv Independent, 'There is no confirmed combat use of these systems on a scale that would allow us to speak of leadership in the drone race.'

He further noted, 'We see that they are still in the testing and trial stages. At the same time, we know that Ukraine is also developing and testing similar solutions. Therefore, it is too early to say that Russia is already ahead in this area.'

Evaluating potential deployment scenarios, Perfetsky pointed out that for both Russia and Ukraine, the primary advantage of such technology lies in its extended strike range. A fiber-optic cable approximately 50 kilometers long could theoretically allow Russia to reach certain coastal targets from the sea while remaining undetected.

Perfetsky also mentioned that, according to sources from the Ukrainian Defense Industry Council, Ukraine is already developing similar solutions. 'More broadly, when it comes to maritime and river drone systems, Ukraine is undoubtedly a world leader. It was Ukraine that first demonstrated how these systems can systematically impact the maritime theater of combat, and the strategic initiative in this area still remains with us.'

Interest in Ukraine's expertise in maritime technologies has recently surged, as Kyiv has proposed using its sea drones to secure shipping corridors in the Persian Gulf.