The russian invasion forces have a specialized unit called the Rubicon Unmanned Systems Center, which has recently begun arming itself with unmanned attack boats.
Newly released photos and videos show training exercises involving one-way attack unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and even a surface drone capable of submerging underwater.
Read more: russia Develops Surface Drones for Mass Attacks on Ports and Offshore Towers
Russia can attack all sea objects at once, using up to 400 drone boats, - military "Flash" Russia has an elite center "Rubicon", which already uses unmanned boats to attack maritime infrastructure, including ports, towers and ships. pic.twitter.com/CDpvP7SC35 — Savchenko Volodymyr (@SavchenkoReview) August 2, 2025
Ukrainian electronic warfare expert Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov noted that Rubicon is also developing technologies to detect and destroy surface drones from the air — a sign that Russia is already working on countermeasures to protect its own USVs.
"They say their main task is to strike our maritime infrastructure," Beskrestnov told Ukrainians. "We need to develop systems for detecting attack our boats and destroying them. FPV drones handle this task well, the key is to organize [effectively]."
Although established only in the summer of 2024, the Rubicon center operates directly under the supervision of russia’s defense minister and has already played a significant role in combat. For example, it was instrumental in targeting Ukrainian logistics during fighting in the Kursk region.
Rubicon receives priority weapons supplies, including a wide range of drones such as anti-aircraft FPVs. These assets are primarily deployed where disrupting Ukrainian logistics is a top priority, with systematic strikes extending 20–30 km behind the frontlines.
Regarding the new USV threat, Defense Express warns that russia could try to replicate Ukraine's tactic of launching FPV drones from drone boats to hit high-value targets deep in the rear. Using this method, Ukraine previously destroyed two Pantsir air defense systems in the Kherson region with FPV strike drones.
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