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Exclusive: Ukraine Draws Inspiration from Israel to Sabotage Russian Drone Operators’ Equipment.
In an asymmetric war, Ukraine has succeeded in infiltrating and disrupting the Russian military’s supply chain by targeting an essential element of its technological arsenal – the control glasses intended for Russian drone pilots. This operation is reminiscent of another pager hijacking operation carried out by the Israeli secret service.
Russian operators have been the target of attempted sabotage of their equipment. (Picture source: Russian MoD)
Inspired by the Mossad operation against Hezbollah in September 2024, the General Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (HUR) is said to have orchestrated a large-scale sabotage mission. Ukrainian sources confirmed that thousands of control glasses, destined for Russian drone pilots, were rigged with explosives even before being delivered to enemy forces.
The devices in question, identified as the Skyzone Cobra X V4 glasses – equipment manufactured in China and widely adopted by the Russian military for their cost-effectiveness – were modified to detonate upon activation. A warning issued in early February on Telegram by Igor Potapov, a representative of JSC NPP, had already alerted about the risk of such an operation.
According to gathered information, unidentified individuals used humanitarian aid channels to deliver these rigged devices to Russian drone operators. This method, similar to that employed by Mossad, illustrates the capacity of Ukrainian services to exploit seemingly innocuous gaps in the enemy’s supply chain. Although no casualties have been officially reported among Russian pilots so far, the strategic impact of the operation is undeniable.
Military experts emphasize that the primary objective is not to inflict immediate losses but to sow distrust within Russian ranks. By disrupting the supply chain, the Ukrainians hope to force Russian forces to increase their checks, thereby hindering their operational effectiveness on the battlefield.
"By exploiting a previously unsuspected vulnerability, Ukraine demonstrates that it is capable of striking the enemy where it is most vulnerable, highlighting the tactical superiority of its intelligence services," explained a security specialist.
While this operation may not immediately alter the overall dynamics of the conflict, it marks a significant turning point in Ukrainian strategy. By choosing to target not only enemy drones but also their operators – whose loss represents a much higher cost to the adversary – HUR confirms its willingness to adopt unconventional means of warfare, adapted to the realities of modern conflict.
The operation could pave the way for future similar actions, demonstrating that even seemingly insignificant equipment can be transformed into tools of disruption. For Ukraine, this is another step towards a technological guerrilla war capable of undermining the confidence and effectiveness of Russian forces, both on the battlefield and in their rear logistics.