Ukraine's 57th Motorized Brigade has released new footage showing forests near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region covered with thousands of kilometers of fibre-optic cables left behind by Russian wire-guided FPV drones. The videos highlight the growing environmental impact of modern warfare, with nearly invisible cables draped across trees, shrubs, and forest floors.
Military officials warn that the plastic and glass fibers are non-biodegradable and could remain in the environment for decades, creating long-term pollution. The tangled wires also pose risks to wildlife by trapping animals, although some birds have reportedly used loose strands to build nests.
Russian forces have increasingly relied on fiber-optic FPV drones because they are resistant to conventional electronic jamming, with each drone trailing several kilometers of cable during flight. Ukrainian forces say operators of these wire-guided drones are considered high-priority targets as fighting continues along the eastern front.
