FSB Intercepts Booby-Trapped FPV Goggles Bound for Russian Drone Pilots
The FSB says a soldier’s suspicions exposed explosive-rigged FPV headsets mailed as volunteer aid, as Russia blames Ukrainian intelligence.
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Russia’s Federal Security Service said Tuesday that it had intercepted booby-trapped goggles destined for Russian drone pilots, alleging that Ukrainian intelligence used volunteer aid networks to send explosive devices to troops fighting in Ukraine.
The FSB’s announcement described an apparent repeat of a February 2025 operation that Ukrainian intelligence sources had confirmed to news outlets.
The latest allegations have not been independently verified, and Ukraine has not publicly commented.
The agency did not disclose the total number of headsets recovered. It said seizures extended across several Russian regions after a serviceman raised the alarm in Volgograd.
Soldier Raises Alarm
The serviceman became suspicious after receiving two sets of first-person view, or FPV, goggles by mail, according to the FSB.
Recalling warnings about the earlier attacks, he passed the equipment to the security service.
The agency said scans revealed explosives concealed inside the headsets, designed to detonate when the equipment was switched on.
FPV goggles allow drone operators to see a live feed from their aircraft’s cameras.
Footage released by the FSB showed a bomb-disposal robot handling the devices.
Images appeared to show Skyzone Cobra X v4 goggles, or a similar model, matching equipment identified in the earlier operation.
Volunteer Networks Targeted
The FSB alleged that Ukrainian intelligence personnel approached established Russian volunteer organizations through anonymous Telegram accounts, presenting themselves as patriotic donors.
After identifying demand for drone equipment, they offered to send headsets directly to individual soldiers.
Recipients were asked to record “video messages of gratitude” for social media, the agency said.
“As a result of the measures taken, security agencies in various regions of the Russian Federation seized a batch of similar IEDs camouflaged inside FPV goggles, transmitted by the enemy through the Russian Post,” the FSB said.
The agency said the senders withheld identifying details and declined to move conversations to the Max messaging app.
It urged charities, volunteers and individual donors to use verified suppliers and have donated equipment checked for explosives and toxic substances.
Earlier Attack Injured Operators
Ukrainian intelligence sources previously confirmed an operation involving roughly 80 modified FPV headsets distributed through Russian volunteer channels in early 2025.
Reports on the earlier operation indicated that at least eight Russian drone pilots suffered serious injuries, including damage to their faces and eyes.
Those reports concern the earlier operation; the FSB’s latest account described interceptions before any detonations.
Investigators in Volgograd have opened a criminal case covering alleged explosives offenses and preparation for a terrorist act.
The FSB said it was continuing efforts to identify the senders and locate additional devices.
Ahmet Koçak
Ahmet Koçak is a news editor at Clash Report based in Istanbul. He previously served as Deputy Managing Editor at Türkiye Today, helping launch the digital news platform in 2023, and spent three years as Senior Editor at Daily Sabah. His work focuses on breaking news, geopolitics, international affairs, and digital journalism.
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