FSB Thwarted Explosive-Trapped Drone Goggles Sent to Russian Volunteers
Russia's FSB reports intercepting a shipment of drone goggles rigged with explosives designed to target military operators when powered on.
POLICY WIRE — Moscow, Russia — Russia’s Federal Security Service announced on Monday that it has successfully disrupted a plot aimed at harming Russian drone operators. The discovery followed the seizure of first-person view goggles that had allegedly been modified with explosives for distribution to military personnel.
According to an official statement, explosives specialists conducting X-ray scans identified that Ukrainian special services had hidden improvised explosive devices inside the hardware. The bombs were reportedly located in the areas where cooling fans are typically installed.
The FSB claimed the rigged equipment was wired to explode the moment the user switched the devices on, potentially resulting in fatal or severe injuries to the operators.
The investigation began after a tampered shipment was first located in the southern Volgograd region. Following this initial find, law enforcement officials intercepted larger quantities that were being transported to various destinations across the country via Russia Post. The security agency did not provide a specific count of the total number of devices recovered.
A video lasting nearly six minutes, released by the FSB to state media, depicted bomb disposal procedures. The footage also featured interviews with an unidentified soldier and two female volunteers who assist in delivering supplies to Russian troops.
One volunteer stated that FSB agents stopped her while she was collecting three kits sent by an individual known as Daria. Another volunteer mentioned receiving a separate delivery from an online contact operating under the username “Oleg Feniks.”
Authorities have now opened a criminal investigation into the illegal production, acquisition, and transport of explosives, alongside charges of attempted terrorism. Officials issued a warning to volunteers supporting the military to thoroughly inspect all donated items, noting that Ukrainian intelligence has previously hidden explosives in common objects such as power banks, Bluetooth speakers, automotive components, heated shoe insoles, and decorative statues.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
