‘Real and operational’: Ukraine unveils new laser weapon

Ukraine has announced a massive leap forward in their defence capabilities, lifting the lid on an ominous new weapon in the hope to turn the tide.

Ukraine is now officially in the laser weapons game.

Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, revealed that the country’s military has developed its own laser weapon which can target and down aircraft at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometres.

Speaking at the European Defense Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry conference, Sukharevskyi proudly declared Tryzub (trident) “laser is real and operational”, adding that efforts are already underway to scale up its capabilities against Russia.

The announcement marks a significant leap in Ukraine’s military innovation, according to Ukrainian publication the Kyiv Independent.

But it’s not just lasers that are powering Ukraine’s defence advances.

Sukharevskyi also introduced the concept of “mother drones” or “queen drones” — unmanned aerial systems capable of carrying two FPV (first-person view) light attack drones.

Ukraine now has more than just tanks at its disposal, with Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi announcing a new laser weapon is ‘real and operational’ (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP)

Ukraine has developed its own laser weapon which can target and down aircraft at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometres. (Photo by Handout / National Police of Ukraine / AFP)

The drones are capable of flying over 70 kilometres into enemy territory and can act as repeaters, enabling deeper strikes against targets. Describing the development as a “breakthrough,” Sukharevskyi expressed hope that the mother drones can give Ukraine’s tactical capabilities an edge in the nearly three-year long conflict.

In less than six months since its formation, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces have rapidly expanded to include combat and research units spanning air, land, and sea operations.

Russia captures another Ukrainian village

Russia’s army on Tuesday claimed to have captured another village in eastern Ukraine, a day after President Vladimir Putin said his troops had the upper hand across the entire frontline.

Russia’s defence ministry said it had “liberated” the village of Gannivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, around 10 kilometres (six miles) south of the resource-rich hub of Kurakhove, which Moscow is also on the brink of capturing.

President Vladimir Putin this week said his troops had the upper hand across the entire frontline. (Photo by Sergei GUNEYEV / POOL / AFP)

Putin told Russia’s military leadership on Monday that the army had seized 189 settlements in Ukraine so far in 2024.

Moscow is pressing to gain full control of four Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed — Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk and Zaporizhzhia.

Both sides are seeking to strengthen their position on the battlefield ahead of US president-elect Donald Trump, who wants to end the conflict, coming to power in January.

Originally published as ‘Real and operational’: Ukraine unveils new laser weapon