The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia announced on 13/7 it had prevented a large-scale drone attack plot by Ukrainian intelligence. The plot targeted two strategic airbases: Shagol in the Ural mountains and Ukrainka in Russia's Far East.
The FSB described this operation as "unprecedented in scale and threat," with direct involvement from Western coordinators.
Russian intelligence obtained information that Ukrainian intelligence planned to transport suicide first-person view (FPV) drones and mobile ground control stations to the border province of Bryansk. Russia then monitored all actions of Ukrainian agents, according to the FSB.
Drone components were stored in containers and delivered to Russia via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and balloons. They were then transported deeper into Russian territory by road, using trucks with double-bottom trailers.
Upon nearing the target airbases, these components were assembled into drones inside garages rented by the suspects, ready for deployment. The FSB arrested the suspects at this point.
Russian agents seized a total of 24 FPV drones, each carrying explosives equivalent to over one kg of TNT. These drones were equipped with AI-controlled modules capable of resisting electronic warfare, the FSB reported.
The agency also confiscated two mobile ground control stations fitted with self-destruct explosives, as well as equipment Ukrainian agents used to communicate with coordinators.
Ukrainian officials have not commented on the information. Shagol airbase hosts Su-34 and Su-57 fighter jets, while Ukrainka military airfield is where Russia deploys Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers.
This plan appears similar to the "Spiderweb" operation conducted by Kyiv in 6/2025, where Ukraine deployed a large number of FPV drones to attack strategic airbases in Russia. These drones were hidden in containers on trucks parked near the airfields.
Ukraine claimed to have hit 41 Russian aircraft of various types during the "Spiderweb" operation and destroyed at least 13 planes. US officials estimated that only about 20 aircraft were hit, with 10 destroyed.
Ukrainka base was reportedly one of the targets Ukraine aimed for at that time, but the attack plan on this airfield failed when the truck carrying the drones caught fire and was destroyed.
On 10/7, the FSB also announced it had seized 13 AI drones transported by Ukrainian intelligence into Russian territory, intended for an attack on a military airfield in Rostov province.
Pham Giang (Reuters, RT, TASS)
