On 2 November 2026, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed to have foiled a series of explosions targeting Russian military personnel, allegedly carried out using FPV goggles rigged with explosives to control drones. The Russian security service accused Ukraine of orchestrating the operation. According to the FSB, the equipment containing explosives was being smuggled to the front line under the guise of humanitarian aid. There is currently no independent confirmation of these allegations, according to TSN and the Russian news agency Interfax.
- On 2 November, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced that it had allegedly discovered FPV goggles fitted with explosives intended for the Russian military.
- The Russian security service has accused Ukraine of being involved in the planning of the bombings.
- According to the FSB, the explosive devices were concealed inside the equipment.
- The glasses were apparently distributed via voluntary organisations and by post.
- There is no independent evidence to suggest that the Ukrainian security services were involved in the alleged incident.
What the Russian FSB said
According to a report by the Russian security services, one of the servicemen in the Volgograd region received two from a volunteer FPV-glasses and handed them over to staff for inspection FSB.
Russian security forces claim that, during an X-ray scan of the equipment, they discovered homemade explosive devices that had been installed in place of components of the cooling system.
According to the FSB, the explosions were supposed to occur when the goggles were switched on, which could have resulted in fatalities drone operators.
The Russian security service also announced that a consignment of similar equipment had been seized in various regions of the Russian Federation. The exact number of devices was not specified in the statement.
As if they had planned to deliver the equipment to the military
The FSB claims that the organisers of the operation used Russian charitable foundations and voluntary organisations that supply the military with equipment.
According to this account, the unknown individuals contacted volunteers via anonymous Telegram accounts, offered assistance to Russian units and arranged for the transfer of equipment.
The Russian security service also stated that the suspects had concealed their personal details and refused to switch to communicating via a Russian Max messenger and demanded that the military provide video recordings expressing gratitude for the assistance received.
According to the FSB, some of the parcels were sent via «Russian Post».
In the Volgograd Region, a criminal investigation has been launched under articles relating to the unlawful circulation and manufacture of explosive devices and the preparation of a terrorist act. Russian security forces have announced that they are searching for individuals involved in the dispatch of the equipment.
Similar explosions have been reported previously
In February 2025, the Ukrinform news agency, citing a source within Ukrainian intelligence, reported a series of explosions involving FPV goggles used by Russian drone operators.
At the time, a source at the agency claimed that specialists from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence were involved in the operation. According to him, the equipment containing explosives was being passed on to the Russian military via volunteers.
However, reports of the events of 2025 do not corroborate the validity of the FSB’s current allegations. These are isolated incidents, and no link has been established between them.
Has Ukraine confirmed Russia’s allegations?
As of 2 November, there is no official response from the Ukrainian security services to the FSB’s latest claims in the verified reports.
The statements released by the Russian side also do not make it possible to independently establish the origin of the equipment, the circumstances of its dispatch, or the individuals responsible for planning the alleged explosions.
At present, the only information available is a statement from the Russian security service and a report regarding the opening of criminal proceedings. Ukraine’s involvement in the operation described remains unconfirmed.
