The elite and secret Russian unmanned-systems unit “Rubikon” is capable of inflicting significant damage on Ukrainian defenders even with a limited presence. In particular, it has managed to cut the Izium–Sloviansk route, says Kyrylo Veres, commander of Ukraine's top “K-2" Unmanned Systems Brigade, per Army TV.
Russia's Rubikon operates in hot spots along the front
According to experts, Rubikon has roughly 5,000 fighters and large financial resources. Its task is to disrupt Ukrainian logistics, destroy drone command teams, and train other Russian units.
Earlier, LIGA.net reported that Russian military intelligence and Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stand behind the center, according to a Ukrainian Defense Intelligence officer with the callsign "Azimut".
The officer added that Rubikon demonstrates “strong political will and a large role” for Russian special services in directly organizing this structure.
Veres said the unit has the capabilities to carry out harsher, riskier, and more systematic strikes deep inside Ukrainian battle formations.
He revealed that in his brigade’s area of responsibility, the presence of Russian “Rubikon” operators is smaller compared to other frontline sectors, but “they still try to hit us constantly… and they cause quite substantial damage.”
“They have one big advantage. They don’t care what happens on their front line. That’s what makes them most effective. It doesn’t matter to them. They carry out the mission assigned to them,” Veres emphasized.
He explained that the “Rubikon” operators do not care about their own infantry fighting on the front line.
“That’s why they perform their tasks much better and more effectively. Our task in the ‘Drone Line’ is essentially the same, but we cannot abandon our infantry or move away from the front line… We simply cannot do this for a million reasons," said Veres.
With Ukraine's resources, capabilities, and level of training, Kyiv troops are forced to strike right in front of themselves because "we are trying to hold on," he added.
