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A senior Ukrainian intelligence official confirmed the plot to blow up drone goggles. But it was unclear how much effect the scheme had on Russian forces.
Feb. 20, 2025, 1:37 p.m. ET
It was a novel Ukrainian spy plot, inspired by what Israeli intelligence had pulled off with exploding wireless devices and Hezbollah militants: Hide tiny bombs in the goggles that Russian soldiers use to control drones. Donate those goggles to the Russian military, under the guise of humanitarian aid. Then wait for the explosions.
The Russian news agency TASS reported the suspected sabotage of the goggles earlier this month, and on Thursday, a senior Ukrainian official confirmed that Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known as the HUR, developed the scheme. The Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne reported on the explosions earlier Thursday.
The Ukrainian plot did not have the same public results as the Israeli one, which killed dozens of people and wounded thousands across Lebanon, including civilians. While many goggle explosions were reported this month, the plot seemed mainly to make Russian soldiers wary about using goggles in the future, at least according to social media posts.
No one was reported injured or killed, although the Russian military does not often disclose casualty figures. The senior Ukrainian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, told The New York Times that there were casualties, but he would not disclose numbers because the operation is ongoing.
The booby-trapped goggles were just the latest salvo in a long-running spy-vs-spy battle between Russia and Ukraine. Both sides have used been accused of using operatives to kill military leaders and activists.
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