KYIV — In a remarkable act of sabotage, Ukraine’s military intelligence has successfully implanted hidden explosives within the goggles utilized by Russian army drone pilots, leading to several devastating incidents this month. According to an anonymous intelligence official, at least eight soldiers have been blinded as a result of these clandestine operations.
Details of the operation
This covert initiative closely mirrors a previous operation by Israel that involved the mass detonation of concealed explosives in Hezbollah operatives’ pagers in Lebanon last September. The Ukrainian intelligence agency, known as HUR, managed to acquire a substantial stock of approximately 80 video piloting goggles specifically designed for Russian drone operators. These goggles were then modified to include a ‘remote detonation function.’
“After that, in coordination with the HUR, Russian volunteers sent the ‘explosive’ goggles free of charge, as a charitable donation, to the UAV units of the enemy army,”
the intelligence official disclosed. This ingenious maneuver allowed the Ukrainian operatives to execute their plan under the guise of humanitarian aid.
Impact of the explosive goggles
The first-person view (FPV) drones, often referred to as kamikaze drones, have emerged as some of the most lethal and cost-effective weapons employed by Russia during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. These unmanned aerial vehicles are commonly deployed against tanks and military personnel, but there are also reports of them being used to target civilians, particularly in the southern city of Kherson.
The donation of the modified goggles occurred in January, and by early February, Russian pro-war bloggers began documenting incidents of these goggles exploding while in use. Reports indicate that the explosions occurred as soon as the drone operators activated the devices, with C-4 explosives, detonators, and batteries discovered within the goggles.
In response to these incidents, Russian intelligence officials have initiated an investigation into what they suspect to be acts of sabotage. Vladimir Rogov, chairman of the committee of the Russian Public Chamber on Sovereignty, acknowledged these developments.
Ukrainian military intelligence has indicated that the operation involving explosive goggles is far from over. “Over time, there will be more,” the Ukrainian official hinted, suggesting that intelligence activities may now extend into Russian Siberia.