Moscow, Russia – The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Monday that it had thwarted a series of large-scale attacks planned by Ukrainian intelligence services targeting two military air bases deep inside Russian territory. According to Sputnik news agency, security authorities successfully uncovered the plot and arrested those involved before it could be carried out.
Details of the Ukrainian plan
The Federal Security Service (FSB) statement explained that Ukrainian intelligence targeted the Shagol airbase in the Ural Mountains and the Ukrainka airbase in Russia’s Far East.
The statement revealed complex logistical tactics employed by Kyiv, including the use of balloons and drones to transport pre-prepared containers to the Bryansk region of Russia.
The agency added: “Kyiv’s agents transported the equipment in vehicles loaded with household appliances as a disguise, in order to reach deep into Russian territory and the targeted airfields, where the drones were assembled and prepared for launch in garages rented for this purpose.” The statement confirmed that the attack was thwarted thanks to precise and prior intelligence that enabled Russian forces to track the cells and arrest the perpetrators.
Control of a sophisticated technological arsenal
As part of the security operation, the agency announced the seizure of 24 drones that were equipped to launch attacks. The statement indicated that these drones possessed advanced technical capabilities, including neural network control units designed to withstand Russian electronic warfare systems.
Russian authorities indicated that the seized drones were of Western manufacture (British, American, Canadian, and Swedish) and were equipped with warheads containing explosives weighing more than one kilogram each.
Furthermore, this operation is one of the largest security operations in which Russia has uncovered Ukrainian attempts to penetrate deep into its territory using advanced Western technology. This reflects the escalating intelligence and technological competition in the ongoing conflict.
These developments come at a time when Moscow and Kyiv are exchanging accusations regarding drone attacks. Russia is seeking to bolster its defenses around its vital military bases, which form the backbone of its air power. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues its attempts to target these sites in order to undermine Russian military operations.
