Key Takeaways:
- Russia’s Rubicon unit has become one of Ukraine’s biggest threats, destroying thousands of drones and military assets while targeting drone operators.
- The force is rapidly expanding, expected to reach 5,000–6,000 specialists by autumn 2025.
- Mariia Berlinska, a military expert, suggest Ukraine should create an “Anti-Rubicon”, replicate enemy tactics, and introduce technology managers in brigades to accelerate adaptation.
Russia's Rubicon drone unit emerges as major threat to Ukraine
Over the past year, Russia’s elite Rubicon electronic warfare and drone-hunting unit has grown into one of the most dangerous adversaries for Ukraine, says Mariia Berlinska, a Ukrainian military volunteer.
Its crews have already destroyed thousands of drones, vehicles, and logistics assets, with a particular focus on neutralizing Ukrainian drone operators, a critical weak point in Ukraine’s defense.
How does Rubicon operate?
Launched in August 2024 with only a few hundred specialists, the unit has scaled quickly and is projected to reach 5,000–6,000 members by fall 2025.
Its strength lies in systematic organization and heavy investment:
- selective recruitment of top personnel,
- extensive training and supply,
- modern radio-controlled systems able to bypass Ukrainian EW (electronic warfare),
- abundant financing that fuels rapid growth.
Already, Rubicon drones are striking Ukrainian convoys, armored vehicles, and supply depots, disrupting frontline logistics.
Ukraine's options for response
Analysts argue that Kyiv must act urgently:
- Create an “Anti-Rubicon” unit to directly hunt Russian drone crews.
- Adopt and replicate enemy methods, just as Russia has copied Ukrainian FPV drones, fiber-optic systems, and air-defense concepts.
- Appoint “technology managers” in every brigade, tasked with collecting, analyzing, and disseminating the most effective innovations, both domestic and captured.
Setback but ongoing threat
In August 2025, Ukrainian forces struck “Rubicon’s” command post and a large ammunition depot in Donetsk region, dealing a blow to its operations. However, the expert warns the unit remains a systemic threat.
“This is a system. And on most Ukrainian fronts, we still have chaos,” notes Berlinska.
Without urgent reforms and better coordination, Ukraine risks losing more of its highly skilled drone operators — a loss that no amount of hardware can replace.
