FSB Thwarts Major Ukrainian Drone Attack on Russian Military Sites

The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has reported the foiling of a major operation by Ukrainian intelligence agencies aimed at smuggling AI-guided drones into Russia. This operation was described as unprecedented in scale and posed a significant threat to national security. According to the FSB, the Ukrainian spies were reportedly assisted by Western handlers in their efforts to deliver explosive-laden drones and mobile ground control stations to the Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine.

The FSB stated that it had closely monitored the activities of these agents, documenting their plans to transport drone components into Russia. The drones were reportedly flown into the country using fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and balloons, with the parts subsequently moved deeper into Russian territory via civilian vehicles equipped with false bottoms.

The drone components were ultimately delivered to locations near the Ukrainka airfield in the Amur region and the Shagol airfield in the Chelyabinsk region. The FSB indicated that the UAVs were assembled in garages rented by the suspects. At the time of the operation's disruption, the FSB detained the individuals involved in these terrorist plots.

In total, the operatives seized 24 FPV drones, each carrying explosive charges equivalent to over 1 kg of TNT. These drones were equipped with AI control modules resistant to electronic warfare, manufactured in the UK, US, Canada, and Sweden. Additionally, the FSB confiscated two mobile ground control stations fitted with self-destruct mechanisms and communication devices used by the Ukrainian agents to coordinate with their handlers.

This incident follows a previous announcement by the FSB regarding the seizure of 13 AI-powered drones that had been smuggled into Russia by the Ukrainian military intelligence service (HUR), intended for an attack on a military airfield in the Rostov region.