Pro-Russian Telegram channels, including the loyalist channel Unofficial Bezsonov Z, have claimed that Ukraine outsourced FPV drone operations to foreign video gamers. According to the claim, which was cited by Russian military-linked channels, a captured Ukrainian prisoner stated that just 16 UAV operators were managing hundreds of pre-positioned FPV drones near the front, connected to a virtual server and available to operators “from any point in the world.” Remote pilots were allegedly receiving instant payments for each confirmed kill.
Ukraine denied the claim. A Ukrainian military source told reporters the story was not true, and that Ukraine already had “more than enough” volunteers willing to come to the country and operate drones against Russian forces. The source noted the concept would also face serious logistical, security, and command-and-control problems. Notably, the source added the underlying idea of using skilled remote pilots was “maybe not the worst idea ever” telling aside about how fast drone warfare is evolving.
There is no independent verification of the original Telegram claim. Russian wartime channels regularly carry a mix of battlefield reporting, rumor, and propaganda.
Source: BBC, Russian state media
So What
This claim is unlikely to be accurate. Ukraine has developed a large, trained drone operation team and likely has sufficient personnel to manage its FPV campaign independently. The infrastructure needed for remote piloting from abroad is complex, and no credible evidence supports the FSB’s assertion.
Instead, this seems to be an information operation. Russia often blames external factors for its military failures, portraying the war as a Western proxy conflict. Claiming that foreign gamers are involved undermines Ukrainian agency and suggests Western involvement, framing the conflict as against the entire West. This claim should be approached with skepticism unless independently verified.
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