Russian forces are using mobile laser systems to shoot down Ukrainian drones in southwestern Russia, according to footage shared online by journalist Alexander Rogatkin.
Rogatkin posted video on Telegram demonstrating the operational deployment of the laser complex, which soldiers on the ground have nicknamed Jedi Swords. The official designation of the high-tech weapon has not been disclosed by military authorities.
Video footage indicates that the underlying laser equipment is built into standard shipping containers. The primary beam emitter sits mounted on top of the container roof, protected by a specialized cover when not actively engaged in combat operations.
The combat laser units are currently assigned to protect a strategic industrial enterprise located in the southwestern region of Russia. According to the report, the defensive system is capable of neutralizing small first-person view copters operated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as fixed-wing kamikaze drones such as the FP-2 and Lyutyi models.
Container-Mounted Directed Energy Systems
Neutralizing an incoming target requires focused laser radiation lasting from a few seconds up to one minute. The concentrated heat beam triggers the detonation of the drone's explosive warhead or causes structural damage that brings the aircraft down.
First-person view drones and fixed-wing kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles have become central tools in modern conflict. Small FPV quadcopters deliver targeted explosives over short ranges, while larger fixed-wing drones like the Ukrainian Lyutyi carry heavy payloads across longer distances to strike industrial and military facilities.
Developers of the laser weapons stated that the directed energy system surpasses conventional machine guns, artillery units, and man-portable air-defense systems in effective operational range. Furthermore, firing a laser beam incurs a significantly lower cost per engagement than launching a traditional anti-aircraft guided missile.
Next Generation Laser Development
System developers claimed that the first-generation laser complexes have already destroyed several hundred enemy drones during combat operations. They added that future iterations of the technology will feature increased power capable of targeting larger high-speed aircraft and incoming cruise missiles.
Military forces globally have increasingly turned toward directed energy technology to counter high-volume drone attacks. Directed energy weapons offer virtually unlimited ammunition capacity when connected to stable electrical power sources, addressing the financial and inventory strains of relying solely on missile-based air defences.
The deployment follows earlier developments in Russian military laser applications. In August 2026, published footage demonstrated the Courier unmanned ground vehicle utilizing an integrated laser demining module to burn through an anti-tank landmine.
