Fiber optic. Drones attacked a factory in Saransk

On April 5, strike drones attacked the Optical Fiber Systems — the first and only optical fiber manufacturing plant in Russia.

This was reported by the Russian publication Baza.

The enterprise is located in the city of Saransk, the capital of the Republic of Mordovia, Russia. Its head, Artem Zdunov, reported on Telegram that one of the enterprises in Mordovia was attacked by drones last night. Operational and emergency services are on site. According to preliminary information, there are no casualties.

As a result of the attack, a fire broke out near the enterprise. Residents report seeing between 6 to 8 drones in the sky. The Russian publication SHOT reports that, according to eyewitnesses, around 10 explosions were heard starting from 2:20 AM.

As is known, the use of UAVs on fiber optic communication channels in the context of the war in Ukraine is gaining increasing significance. It is known that both the Ukrainian army and the Russian forces have already deployed fiber optic drones.

Fiber optic channels have a significant advantage in that they are resistant to the effects of electronic warfare systems. This ensures uninterrupted communication between the unmanned aerial vehicle and its operator.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the Russian fiber optic market has undergone significant changes in recent years. After the American corporation Corning exited the Russian market, Chinese manufacturers significantly increased their share, offering low prices, which has created intense price competition.

In 2024, Chinese suppliers accounted for 75% of the fiber optic market in Russia, while the share of the Russian manufacturer, JSC "Optical Fiber Systems," decreased from 30% in 2021 to 25% in 2024.