The FSB says the goggles targeted Russian military drone operators. Its Volgograd investigators have opened a criminal case over explosives offenses and preparation for a terrorist act.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on 2 November 2026, that it had intercepted explosive-rigged drone goggles intended for Russian military personnel, preventing planned attacks on their operators.
The agency said the discovery began when a serviceman in the Volgograd region submitted two donated goggles for inspection. Subsequent checks intercepted further shipments sent through Russia Post to other Russian regions, where volunteers were meant to pass them to military drone operators.
First-person-view goggles display video from a drone’s onboard camera, allowing the operator to pilot from the aircraft’s viewpoint. The FSB said these devices were wired to explode when switched on, killing or injuring the wearer.
The FSB alleged that Ukrainian intelligence services installed the explosives. It said specialists using X-rays found explosive devices where the goggles’ cooling fans normally sit. Ukrainian involvement has not been independently verified.
The Moscow Times described an FSB-released video showing a bomb-disposal operation and interviews with an unidentified soldier and two female volunteers supplying Russian servicemen. One volunteer said officers stopped her while she was collecting three goggle kits sent by someone identified only as Daria. The other described receiving goggles from an online contact using the handle “Oleg Feniks.”
The FSB alleged that Ukrainian intelligence personnel contacted Russian aid organizations and charities through anonymous accounts. It said the contacts withheld identifying information and required videos of Russian soldiers thanking the donors.
Independent voters could help decide Tuesday’s congressional elections, but winner-take-all races and single-member House districts make it difficult for independent candidates to turn dispersed support into seats.
The investigative department of the FSB’s Volgograd regional directorate opened a criminal case concerning explosives offenses and preparation for a terrorist act. It cited Article 222.1(1), Article 223.1(1), and Articles 30(1) and 205(1) of Russia’s Criminal Code.
The FSB urged volunteers, charities and private donors to obtain aid from verified sources and check it for explosive devices and poisonous substances. The agency said it was searching for people involved in sending the devices.
3 min
UNESCO records 127 journalists and media workers killed in conflict zones in 2024–2025, including 50 killed by drone strikes. The overall toll of 189 rose 20% from the preceding biennium and was the highest since 2014–2015.
3 min
King Philippe is considering the offer and plans to begin consultations with coalition party chairs on 3 November 2026.
2 min
