On February 25, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office reported that a Russian FPV (first-person-view) drone had successfully reached Kharkiv for the first time since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This drone, which operates on fiber optic cables, can bypass traditional electronic warfare tactics, giving it a significant tactical advantage on the battlefield. The use of fiber optic drones began in 2024 and has increased on both sides of the conflict by 2025, showcasing the evolving nature of warfare in the region.

The FPV drones are capable of flying between 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles), but their operational range can be dramatically increased when connected to a fiber optic cable. This was evident in the drone's ability to reach Kharkiv, which is located just over 20 kilometers from the front lines controlled by Russian forces. The incident raises concerns over the increasing sophistication and capabilities of drone warfare in the ongoing conflict, especially in urbanized areas like Kharkiv, which has a population of roughly 1.3 million.

Details about the incident revealed that the drone crashed into a tree around 3 p.m. in the Kyivskyi district, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. This incident highlights the persistent threat posed by advanced drone technologies and the lengths to which both sides are going to adapt to new military technologies in an effort to gain the upper hand in the conflict. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for Ukrainian defense mechanisms to counter such advanced technologies as the war continues to evolve.