A Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) operation was behind the explosions of first-person-view (FPV) goggles used by Russian soldiers, a HUR source revealed to the Kyiv Independent on Thursday.
The revelation follows reports from pro-Russian Telegram channels about a series of explosions involving FPV goggles while being used by Russian drone operators.
According to the source, “Russian volunteers” donated the goggles to Russian drone units in coordination with the agency.
“Today, the horrors of war are unfolding right before the eyes of Russian FPV pilots. This is a well-deserved consequence for the war crimes committed by Russian occupiers against Ukraine daily,” the HUR source stated.
The source explained that HUR purchased a large batch of FPV goggles for the operation, rigged them with explosives, and included a detonation mechanism.
The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify these claims.
Russians discovering small amounts of plastic explosives in a brand-new pair of FPV drone goggles. pic.twitter.com/8fCs24QaJ9
— FUNKER530 (@FunkerActual) February 11, 2025
Inspired by a tactic used by Israeli intelligence with exploding wireless devices against Hezbollah terrorists, Ukrainian spies devised a scheme: hide tiny bombs inside the goggles that Russian soldiers use to control drones. These rigged goggles were then donated to the Russian military under the guise of humanitarian aid, with the expectation of waiting for the explosions.
The sabotage was suspected earlier this month, as reported by Russian news agency TASS. But although the explosions in the goggles have been widely reported, the impact seemed more psychological, making Russian soldiers cautious about using the devices in the future. No injuries or deaths have been confirmed, although the Russian military may have been hiding the true outcome.
A Ukrainian official, who spoke anonymously, claimed the Russians suffered casualties but declined to reveal the numbers, as the operation is ongoing.
