Russia Claims to Test Laser for Drone Warfare: What’s the Catch?

27 March, 2025 Testing of a Russian laser. March 2025. Footage from the RIA_Kremlinpool video

Russia has announced the testing of a laser system to combat drones. However, the footage from the tests suggests that not everything is as Russian propaganda claimed. During a trip to the Central Federal District, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, was presented with new military developments, according to TASS.

They included a laser that allegedly can effectively shoot down small drones at short distances. The footage supposedly from the tests shows how the laser burns the tail of a drone for 20 seconds at a distance of almost 420 meters.

Testing of a Russian laser to combat UAVs.

March 2025. Footage from the RIA_Kremlinpool video

Afterward, for some reason, the warhead in the nose of the drone suddenly explodes, while the tail, where the laser was aimed, remains completely intact. This suggests that Medvedev was shown a staged video.

Now, Russian propaganda is trying to frame this as a "victory" for the public amid the ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes on key targets across Russia. Or the developers had to show some kind of result so that they could continue to receive funding. Following the demonstration, Medvedev proposed deploying "highly effective air defense systems" across Russia to protect against drones, including those "based on new physical principles," referring to laser systems. It remains unclear at what stage Russia's development of laser systems for countering drones and copters stands or whether the country can mass-produce such systems.

Previously, Turkey's defense company ASELSAN tested its GOKBERK mobile laser system, successfully destroying various types of drones, including FPV models.

Testing the DragonFire laser directed-energy weapon.

Photo credits: MoD UK

Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, also announced that Ukraine will soon be able to destroy attack drones with the help of the Ukrainian-made Tryzub laser system.