Russia says it foiled AI-powered Ukrainian drone attack on military airfield

On July 10, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had thwarted what it described as a planned large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on a military airfield in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don using artificial intelligence-enabled first-person view (FPV) drones.

In a statement, the FSB's Public Relations Centre alleged that Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) had planned to target the Rostov-Central military airfield with the assistance of a Russian citizen recruited to carry out the operation, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

According to the agency, the suspect reported the alleged plot to Russian authorities, allowing security services to monitor the operation and prevent the attack during its preparation phase.

"The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence planned to use a Russian citizen to carry out attacks in the Rostov region, promising him financial compensation after the destruction of the Rostov-Central military airfield," the FSB said.

The security service claimed the intended operation sought to damage the airfield's infrastructure, destroy military aircraft and equipment, and kill military personnel.

The FSB said the planned attack involved 13 FPV drones equipped with artificial intelligence systems, each carrying more than one kilogram of explosives measured in TNT equivalent.

According to the agency, after identifying the drones' location and receiving an advance payment worth 20% of the promised reward, the Russian recruit ceased contact with the alleged Ukrainian handlers.

Ukraine has not commented on the Russian allegations, and Reuters was unable to independently verify the claims.

By Aghakazim Guliyev