Ukrainian forces strike elite Russian 'Rubicon' drone unit in occupied territory
The joint operation targeted the drone base in the occupied city of Berdyansk, in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The base was located 107 kilometers (66 miles) behind the front lines.
Ukrainian forces launched a strike against an elite Russian Rubicon drone unit operating within occupied territory, according to a statement from Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces on November 9. The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service, Security Service, and the 412th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment, targeted a Rubicon base in the city of Berdyansk, situated 107 kilometers (66 miles) behind enemy lines.
The strike occurred on November 7, with the base suffering damage from the attack. While the exact number of Russian casualties is yet to be determined, the General Staff emphasized the significance of each disabled control point, noting that it would result in fewer Russian drones being deployed over Ukrainian positions and roads.
The Rubicon Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies is a significant Russian military unit, specializing in logistics disruption, hunting Ukrainian drone teams, and intercepting high-value reconnaissance and strike drones. The unit is composed of several detachments, each consisting of hundreds of personnel. Following a previous strike in September, Russia had withdrawn Rubicon units from the front line in northern Donetsk Oblast due to heavy losses during Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi offensive.
The recent attack resulted in the loss of trained specialists who were engaged in training operators and transferring their knowledge to others. Footage of the strike was released by Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces on November 9, showing Ukrainian drones targeting multiple locations within a building complex believed to house the Rubicon base.
In recent months, Ukrainian drone units have significantly expanded their strikes on Russian targets, from a range of 35 kilometers to 300 kilometers (22 miles to 186 miles) behind the front lines, aiming to disrupt the Russian military's logistics.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
