The Silent Hunter laser system appears to have been active in the war against Ukrainian drones since 2024.
Russian troops are using the Chinese-made Silent Hunter laser air defense system to shoot down Ukrainian drones, with visual confirmation emerging in recent footage.
While maintaining strong economic ties with Russia throughout its three-year war in Ukraine, China continues to deny any involvement in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war and seeks to project an image of neutrality.
Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service confirmed in May 2025 that China was supplying components for Russian ammunition production, with 80% of the electronics in Russian drones sourced from China by early 2025.
Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi reported that Russian troops are using the Chinese-made Silent Hunter laser air defense system. Footage published by Russian military-affiliated sources shows the Silent Hunter laser system in active use, both in ground tests and in shooting down Ukrainian UAVs.
The video reportedly features operations by a mobile air defense group from the Russian special unit Kochevnik.
Telegram channel SPZ Vodohrai channel identified destroyed drones in the video as Ukraine’s Shchedryk, Skywalker X8, and Distractor decoys.
According to Militarnyi, footage indicates that Russian forces have employed the Silent Hunter laser system since at least October 2024.
Designed by the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics, the 30 kW fiber-optic laser is mounted on an off-road platform and equipped with radar and optical targeting. It has an effective range of 1.5 kilometers for drone destruction and up to 3 kilometers for camera blinding. The video shows successful engagements beyond 1,300 meters. The system is also in use in Iran and Saudi Arabia.
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