Russian Military Deploys Chinese Laser Air Defense System

Russia has deployed Silent Hunter, a Chinese-made laser air defense system, to target Ukrainian drones, according to a video published by Russian military sources.

As reported, the laser is in use by a mobile air defense team of the Russian Kochevnik special operations group.

The published video captures both the laser system testing against a steel plate and footage of the shooting down of the Ukrainian drones.

Observers from Ukraine’s Vodohrai Military Service’s Telegram channel identified the drones in the footage as a Shchedryk-type UAV, a Skywalker X8, and a decoy UAV known as the Distractor.

The video suggests that Russia has been using the Silent Hunter system since at least October 2024.

Silent Hunter

The Silent Hunter, or LASS (Low Altitude Laser Defense System), is a 30 kW fiber-optic laser mounted on an SUV chassis. It is believed to have been developed by the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics.

The system features radar and an optical station for detection, tracking, and targeting. The radar reportedly has a detection range of up to 5 kilometers, while the optical system can track targets within 3 kilometers.

Silent Hunter is claimed to be capable of destroying drones at distances up to 1.5 kilometers and blinding optical systems at ranges of up to 3 kilometers. The footage suggests the Russian military successfully intercepted drones at distances exceeding 1,300 meters.

In addition to Russia and China, Iran and Saudi Arabia have reportedly been using the system.

On April 17, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine had evidence that China was supplying weapons to Russia. A day later, China’s Foreign Ministry denied the allegation, stating it had not supplied lethal weapons to any party in the war.

In May, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service stated that China had supplied equipment and components for ammunition production to Russian defense firms. According to the agency, as of early 2025, 80% of the critical electronics used in Russian drones originated from China.