Using Mossad Tactics, Ukraine Prepares ‘Headset Bombs’ to Attack Russian Bases

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Ukraine’s intelligence agency has reportedly tried to infiltrate booby-trapped equipment into Russia’s military supply chain, using volunteer organisations that normally provide troops with logistical supplies to carry out the sabotage.

Reuters reported on Monday (2 November 2026) that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said it had foiled a series of attempted attacks. The main targets were Russian drone operators who had been sent first-person-view (FPV) headsets containing explosives.

The deadly tactic has been likened to a high-level Israeli intelligence operation in Lebanon in 2024, when thousands of booby-trapped pagers infiltrated Hezbollah’s supply chain and exploded in a series of blasts.

However, the operation described by Russian security officials was on a much smaller scale. In early 2025, Kyiv claimed responsibility for supplying Russian forces with 80 pairs of explosive-laden drone goggles.

Russian military sources said several Skyzone Cobra X V4 goggles had been fitted with explosives. The incident reportedly injured several soldiers on duty.

“Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) was inspired by Mossad’s pager operation,” the security report said.

In March, the FSB also said it had intercepted a shipment of more than 500 pairs of electrically heated insoles fitted with booby traps. Both sabotage operations allegedly sought to exploit volunteer networks that supply the Russian military.

The latest plot came to light after a Russian soldier received a suspicious offer of a drone headset and contacted military counter-intelligence. Specialists examined the equipment and confirmed that explosives had been placed where the headset’s cooling fan was located.

Further investigation identified several other suspicious donations believed to be linked to Ukraine. Ukraine’s intelligence agency has previously been reported to have received extensive training from the CIA following the armed coup in Kyiv in 2014.

The FSB warned volunteer organisations to be more cautious about donors unwilling to disclose their identities. Requests for video confirmation that equipment had reached its recipient could also indicate an attempt at sabotage.

Ukrainian agents are suspected of using sophisticated psychological manipulation to gain the trust of volunteer logistics groups.

“They said they preferred small volunteer groups because, supposedly, larger organisations were more vulnerable to embezzlement,” said a woman involved in collecting aid.