---
title: "Russian Military Confirms New Weapon Causes “Hallucinatory Symptoms”"
description: "Russian media confirmed yesterday that the Russian Navy is developing a \"new non-lethal light-based optical interference system\" that could blind enemies."
date: "2019-03-18"
modified: "2019-03-18"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/russia-light-blinding-weapon-details"
categories:
  - "Military"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "optical"
  - "Russia"
  - "the digest"
  - "weaponised laser"
---

# Russian Military Confirms New Weapon Causes “Hallucinatory Symptoms”

![Russian media confirmed yesterday that the Russian Navy is developing a "new non-lethal light-based optical interference system" that could blind enemies.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/russia-light-blinding-weapon-details.png>)
*\<em\>Image: ANDREW MARTIN/THE KREMLIN/TAG HARTMAN-SIMKINS\</em\>*

## "Barf-Inducing Lights"

A non-lethal Russian weapon called the Filin 5P-42 system picked up a run of [press coverage](<https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/russian-ship-vomit-uk-coast-weapon-a8810906.html>) by Western media last month — including [by Futurism](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-weapon-navy-hallucinate>) — reporting that the Russian Navy is "[fitting ships with barf-inducing lights](<https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a26134880/the-russian-navy-is-fitting-ships-with-barf-inducing-lights/>)."

Now, new details are emerging about the weapon. Russian state-owned news agency *Sputnik News* [confirmed yesterday](<https://sputniknews.com/military/201903171073319735-filin-light-weapon-details/>) that the Russian Navy is developing a "new non-lethal light-based optical interference system," quoting a retired colonel who said it causes "hallucinatory symptoms" — and which could provide a "significant tactical advantage" to Russian special forces, according to the weapon's developer.

## Dizzying Flashes

The Filin is capable of firing powerful flashes of light that are intended to impair enemy equipment, according to *Sputnik* — and can even induce nausea and disorientation.

Last week, Russian Ministry of Defense-owned TV network *Zvezda* [aired footage](<https://sputniknews.com/military/201903101073108588-russian-optical-weapon/>) of a test "firing" of the 5P-42 system. According to *Sputnik*, the system is capable of blinding night vision equipment and scopes within a 3.1 mile (5 km) range and blinding or disorienting enemy troops within 1.24 miles (2 km).

## Always Wear Eye Protection

Representatives of Roselectronics, the weapon's developer, [told *Sputnik*](<https://sputniknews.com/military/201903171073319735-filin-light-weapon-details/>) that engineers are working on modifications and upgrading the range of the existing system. The system "does not result in a permanent loss of vision, but reduces firing effectiveness by 300-500 percent," according to developer, but works more as a "system of protection against weapons" that "may cause some hallucinatory symptoms."

An official also revealed that a "weaker" version of the system could also be used by the "civilian market, including use by large companies for security or for guarded facilities."

Of course, these details should be taken with a grain of salt — so far, most information about the Filin have come from state-owned sources.

**READ MORE:** [What Russia's Filin Light-Based 'Weapon of Mass Disorientation' is Capable Of](<https://sputniknews.com/military/201903171073319735-filin-light-weapon-details/>) \[*Sputnik News*\]

**More on the Filin:** *[Russian Navy says new weapon makes enemies hallucinate](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/russian-weapon-navy-hallucinate>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
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