Rubicon (UAV unit)
| Center for Innovative Unmanned Technologies «Rubicon» | |
|---|---|
| Центр перспективных беспилотных технологий «Рубикон» | |
 Unit Chevron | |
| Active | 2 August 2024 - present |
| Allegiance | Russian Armed Forces |
| Type | Drone warfare |
| Engagements | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
Center for Innovative Unmanned Technologies «Rubicon» is a Russian military unit formed in August of 2024 on the orders of Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov. It is specialised in drone warfare and has been engaged in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fighting in different sections of the front.
History
Rubicon Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies was established in August 2024, following the directive of Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. The primary objective of the center was to train highly skilled instructors in the realm of unmanned aviation, with the aim of transfering their expertise to personnel in active formations and military units. Additionally, the center aimed to prepare UAV operators for combat operations in the zone of Special Military Operation, both as part of individual crews and as part of teams.[1]
The center also develops and tests advanced systems of the drones, conducts research and implementation of drones systems in the troops, as well as training drone operators. They also conduct research into the field of artificial intelligence and explore how it can be utilized in robotic systems.[1]
The existence of Rubicon was first became known in October 2024, when Belousov visited the center.[2]
Operations
According to Lostarmour, an OSINT analysys website, as of 8 August 2025 Rubicon Drone operators have conducted more than 5,015 strikes, including drone interceptions.[3]
The Unit has been active on the Donetsk, Kursk and Belgorod directions of the war.[4]
Ukrainian troops interviewed by NYT emphasize that Rubicon drone unit has dramatically shifted the battlefield, relentlessly striking supply lines and vehicles up to 15 kilometers behind the front—a tactical edge Kyiv struggles to counter. "The game changed when they came here," said one American volunteer, as Ukrainian forces face escalating losses and disrupted operations under Rubicon’s precision attacks.[5][6]
Equipment
Rubicon unit reportedly uses following equipment:[2]
- Lancet and Kub loitering munitions by Zala
- FPV drones (most notably VT-40)
- Recon drones (Voron)
- Unmanned surface vehicles (Shkval)
References
- ^ a b "В Минобороны создали центр перспективных беспилотных технологий "Рубикон"". TACC (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ a b "Операторы секретного центра "Рубикон": "Там, где мы, там вторчермет!"". Российская газета (in Russian). 2025-08-04. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Боевая работа операторов ИЦПБТ "Рубикон"". lostarmour.info. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Отряды центра "Рубикон" работают на трех направлениях СВО". TACC (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ "Ukrainian Troops Struggle to Hold the Line on the Eastern Front". 2025-07-07. Retrieved 2025-08-08.
- ^ Axe, David. "An Elite Russian Drone Group Is Hunting Ukrainian Vehicles In Kursk". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-08-08.