A batch of first-person view (FPV) goggles delivered to Russian soldiers was discovered to be booby-trapped, with each device containing a plastic explosive charge designed to detonate upon activation, according to Russian military-linked Telegram channels and state media.
🇷🇺⚔️🇺🇦 Straight from the Israeli Playbook: Russia Intercepts Explosive-Laden AR Goggles Meant for Frontline Troops
Russian authorities have intercepted a shipment of FPV goggles rigged with explosives, allegedly intended to detonate upon first use.
According to Russian war… pic.twitter.com/brmncNweZt
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) February 7, 2025
The pro-Kremlin Razved Dozor Telegram channel first reported the news, stating that the booby-trapped goggles were intercepted before reaching frontline troops.
“Attention! According to our sources, enemy saboteurs have attempted a mass terrorist act on Russian territory using volunteers (without their knowledge),” the post stated. “The competent authorities are already working on the situation.”
Razved Dozor noted that the goggles were sent as part of humanitarian aid packages. It remains unclear how many devices were intercepted or if any successfully reached Russian troops, as authorities have not disclosed the full extent of the incident.
According to reports, each device contained an estimated 10-15 grams of plastic explosives hidden near the cooling fan, positioned close to the operator’s temple. The detonation mechanism was reportedly linked to the power button, making activation potentially lethal.
Russian state news agency TASS later confirmed the reports, citing Igor Potapov, a representative of JSC NPP, a Russian defense electronics company that supplies combat equipment to Russian forces.
Potapov claimed that the explosive-laden goggles were Skyzone Cobra X v4 models, a widely used FPV headset for drone operations. He stated that the devices were delivered through a logistics service by an individual named “Roman” under the guise of humanitarian aid.
“When the glasses were turned on, they detonated and exploded. Upon further inspection, all the products in the batch were found to contain plastic explosives,” he said.
Potapov urged troops to carefully inspect all equipment received through unofficial channels. “Humanitarian aid always requires verification if it is provided by new, unfamiliar individuals,” Potapov warned.
The alleged attack bears similarities to previous sabotage tactics, including Israel’s reported mass use of explosive-rigged pagers and walkie-talkies against Hezbollah militants in September 2024.
That incident, which involved remotely detonated devices, was said to have killed dozens and wounded thousands. Pro-Russian sources speculated that Ukraine may have attempted to replicate this strategy, though no official attribution has been made.
