Who are the Russians involving in the elite “Rubicon” and what is the unit’s size – details

The Russian cyber unit “Rubicon” becomes a magnet for top military personnel

The Russian center for unmanned technologies “Rubicon” is actively recruiting the best soldiers from various military units, prioritizing funding and access to advanced technologies. This is happening against the backdrop of the growing role of unmanned systems in modern conflicts.

According to LIGA.net sources, the main criterion for the “elite” status of “Rubicon” is its priority funding and access to experimental equipment, such as FPV drones, fiber-optic unmanned aerial vehicles, and the latest robotic complexes. “Rubicon” focuses on selecting operators and instructors of unmanned systems, providing them with maximum support from the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation.

The number of the main “Rubicon” staff varies depending on tasks and areas where they execute their operations. It currently stands at about 1,500 individuals. An officer of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate, known by the pseudonym Azimuth, noted that “Rubicon” recruiters have the right to select the best pilots from any parts of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as recruit civilians who are trained from scratch.

The main requirements for candidates include military fitness of category no lower than “B”, age up to 45 years, the ability to learn, and no criminal record. Among the recruited are drone operators from the 19th Motorized Rifle Division of the Russian Federation, who have been involved in conflicts with Ukraine since the ATO days.

A profile with information about a recruit’s skills and feedback from commanders is compiled for each potential “Rubicon” participant. This unit can even enlist entire teams from other units. Officers from “Rubezh” say that the activities of “Rubicon” have already left their mark on cities in Donbas, such as Dobropillia.