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Ukraine tests low cost Sunray laser to shoot down drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on February 10 that the country is carrying out major changes to its air defense operations, with systems in some regions “almost completely restructured” as Kyiv confronts sustained Russian drone and missile attacks.
In his evening address, Zelensky said he held detailed talks with Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov and Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on transforming how Ukrainian forces respond to aerial threats. He described significant adjustments in the way air defenses operate, including the deployment of interceptors, mobile fire groups and the broader short range air defense component in several oblasts.
The announcement coincided with the unveiling of new domestically developed military technology. According to reporting by The Atlantic, Ukrainian engineers have developed and tested a laser based air defense system known as Sunray, designed to destroy drones at a fraction of the cost of Western alternatives.
The compact system resembles a telescope fitted with cameras and can be mounted on a pickup truck. During a demonstration, the laser reportedly ignited a drone within seconds while operating silently and without visible light. Developers expect each unit to cost several hundred thousand dollars, far below the $150 million contract price associated with the US Navy’s HELIOS laser system.
Pavlo Yelizarov, deputy commander of Ukraine’s air force, underscored the urgency of finding cost effective solutions to counter waves of inexpensive Russian drones. He compared using high end missile systems against cheap unmanned aircraft to transporting potatoes in a luxury car, arguing that more economical tools are needed for sustained defense.
The restructuring of Ukraine’s air defenses follows weeks of intensified Russian strikes targeting critical infrastructure. On February 6 and 7, Russia launched more than 400 drones and 39 missiles, hitting substations essential to the operation of nuclear power plants and triggering nationwide power outages. Days earlier, Zelensky had voiced dissatisfaction with the air force’s response to Russian attack drones in certain areas and ordered the reinforcement of mobile fire units.
He indicated that reforms would extend beyond air defense to include tighter oversight of drone and weapons deliveries to the front lines, improvements in personnel training and measures to strengthen brigades. The Defense Ministry and military leadership are preparing what Zelensky described as fully developed decisions aimed at reinforcing Ukraine and addressing existing shortcomings.
While Kyiv continues to urge Western allies to supply additional air defense systems capable of intercepting incoming missiles and drones, domestic innovation has become an increasingly central element of Ukraine’s strategy as the conflict enters its fourth year.