Solovyov Exposed ‘Rubicon’: Propaganda Reveals Location of Russia’s Secret Drone Base

Russia’s elite Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies “Rubicon” of the Russian Armed Forces was exposed due to a series of videos that were meant for restricted access.

A key episode came from the Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, whose report effectively exposed the location of the so-called “secret base” — the Patriot Expo, an exhibition center near Moscow.

Three videos were published: the first on June 11, 2024, on the Defense Ministry’s Telegram channel; the second, Solovyov’s TV program on February 2, 2025; and the third, on September 1, 2025, ahead of the opening of the “Rubicon.”

All three contained footage from the base, but Solovyov’s video made precise geolocation possible.

In his broadcast, editors failed to blur a sign above a restroom entrance with a distinctive design and illuminated panel switching between “toilet” in Russian and English.

The September 2025 video also contained footage from the same interiors, including stands with “patriotic” posters and inflatable trainers for FPV drones. These elements appear in the center’s own promotional materials.

The Defense Ministry’s video from early 2024 showed metal hatches and technical openings similar to those later visible in Solovyov’s footage from Rubicon’s equipment storage, further confirming that the base is located inside Patriot Park.

On Patriot’s website in spring 2024, a permanent event for “Scientific and Practical Exercises” was listed, organized by the Defense Ministry, led by Yevgeny Shmirin, who accompanied Solovyov to Rubicon.

In another segment, Solovyov appeared with officials Budnikov, Krivoruchko, and Shmirin, inspecting small utility vehicles used to transport drone operators. Geolocation showed the equipment parked in the “Military Industry” cluster at Patriot.

According to the investigation, the Rubicon Center occupies Hall D and part of Hall C in the complex. Photos from the “Motospring 2025” exhibition show camouflage netting hung inside Hall D, where Rubicon is based.

In 2025, the Army forum was cancelled at Patriot park for the first time since its launch in 2015. No exhibitions were organized there from early 2024 until the International Technical Congress in spring 2025. The entrance to Hall B, adjacent to Rubicon, remained unused.

On May 22, 2025, a Ukrainian Liutyi drone targeted the Patriot Expo. Three days later, Ukrainian forces struck a Pantsir air defense system at the site. Investigators concluded that Solovyov’s broadcast was key to confirming and exposing the Rubicon base.