Russian security forces have successfully thwarted a major scheme orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence agencies to smuggle AI-guided drones into Russia, with the intent of targeting critical defense facilities and military airfields, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The operation, described as “unprecedented in scale and the level of threat,” was allegedly prepared by Ukrainian spies with direct involvement from Western handlers, the agency stated Monday. FSB officials revealed that intelligence operatives intercepted plans for explosive-laden FPV drones and mobile ground control stations to be delivered to Russia’s Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine.

All criminal actions of Kiev’s agents were closely monitored and documented by Russian special services prior to execution. The drone components were transported into Russia using containers shipped via fixed-wing UAVs and balloons. Subsequently, the hardware was moved deep into Russian territory by civilian vehicles equipped with false-bottom trailers.

The drones ultimately reached areas adjacent to the Ukrainka airfield in Amur Region of Russia’s Far East and Shagol airfield in Chelyabinsk Region of the Urals. The UAVs were assembled and prepared for deployment in garages rented by suspects, FSB confirmed.

At the time of the operation, authorities detained all perpetrators and accomplices involved in the terrorist plot. The seized assets included 24 FPV drones carrying explosive charges exceeding one kilogram of TNT each—equipped with British, U.S., Canadian, and Swedish-manufactured electronic warfare-resistant AI control modules—and two mobile ground control stations fitted with self-destruct mechanisms. Additionally, communication devices used by Ukrainian agents to contact their handlers abroad were confiscated.

Last week, the agency reported a similar incident where 13 AI-powered drones smuggled into Russia by Ukraine’s military intelligence service (HUR) aimed at attacking an airfield in Russia’s Rostov Region.