russia is finalizing tests of a fiber-optic-tethered version of the Molniya-2 strike drone. Photos of the UAV with a cable spool, as well as footage of trials, have already appeared online. This modification will soon enable russian forces to operate the drone tens of kilometers from launch without the same risk of EW disruption.
This represents a notable upgrade for russian strike drones and a growing threat to Ukrainian forces. However, the fiber-optic link comes at a cost: reduced tactical and technical performance, particularly flight range and payload capacity, as well as the inherent risk of cable breakage.
Read more: Why Do russians Mount an FPV Drone on the Molniya-2 Strike UAV?
Images of the updated Molniya-2 show a spool marked "Optical Fiber Pautina 40", which likely refers to a 40 km cable. In practice, though, the drone’s effective range will probably shrink to about 30 km or less, compared to the 50 km or more achievable with the standard version.
In terms of warheads, early Molniya models carried shaped-charge munitions based on RPG-7 rounds. Later variants were seen with TM-62 anti-tank mines weighing up to 10 kg — roughly matching the platform's original payload capacity.
But with a 40 km spool weighing around 4 kg, the drone’s available payload is cut to 4–5 kg. Even so, this remains sufficient to strike tactical targets such as pickup trucks used near the front line.
Crucially, improved EW resistance does not make the Molniya invulnerable. It remains highly susceptible to anti-aircraft FPV drones, which Ukrainian forces have already used to destroy hundreds of russian UAVs. This underscores the urgent need to further develop Ukrainian counter-drone capabilities in line with russia's evolving tactics.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that russian troops had converted a civilian VAZ-1111 Oka car into a mobile launcher for Molniya drones.
Read more: russian Molniya-2 Kamikaze Drones Now Equipped With Thermobaric Warheads
