The explosive devices were installed in place of cooling fans inside the goggles, according to the FSB press service, and were designed to trigger when the headset was powered up.
The batch was uncovered after a serviceman from the Volgograd Region received two pairs of the goggles from a volunteer and brought them to the FSB directorate for inspection, following instructions from military counterintelligence. Bomb disposal technicians found the devices inside.
Investigators allege the bombs were planted by Ukrainian special services. According to the FSB, their officers posed as self-styled patriots in Telegram chats with representatives of Russian humanitarian organizations and charitable funds, and sent the goggles through Russian Post. The agency also said these individuals withheld personal details, refused to move the conversation to the Max messenger and demanded videos of thanks from Russian soldiers.
The FSB directorate for the Volgograd Region opened a criminal case on charges of preparing a terrorist attack, illegally sending explosives and manufacturing them. Those involved in sending the goggles are being sought.
In February 2025, Ukrainian outlets reported a similar operation by Ukrainian intelligence, in which a batch of Skyzone Cobra FPV goggles was passed to Russian troops through volunteers. The anonymous Telegram channel "Dosye Shpiona" claimed that eight drone operators were blinded by explosions from such goggles. A video the FSB released after seizing the new batch also shows Cobra goggles.