A new, faster model of Russian attack drone has been identified in use over Ukraine, raising alarms about its potential to overwhelm air defenses. Analysis of recovered wreckage indicates the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), referred to as the Geran-5, represents a significant technological leap.
The drone features a conventional aircraft design with a long cylindrical body and wings, a departure from previous delta-shaped models. It is reportedly powered by a Chinese turbojet engine, enabling an estimated top speed of 600 km/h. This makes it substantially faster than earlier jet-powered drones used by Russian forces, which traveled below 400 km/h.
Military experts warn that this increased velocity drastically reduces the time available for air defense systems to engage and destroy incoming threats. The Geran-5 is also assessed to have an operational range of nearly 1,000 kilometers and can carry a warhead weighing approximately 90 kilograms.
Ukrainian intelligence sources allege that critical components within the drone, including microchips, originate from manufacturers in Western nations and China. This has sparked renewed concerns about the circumvention of international sanctions meant to restrict Russia’s military-industrial complex.
The deployment of this new weapon system suggests a shift in Russian tactics. Rather than solely increasing the sheer volume of drone attacks, Moscow appears to be focusing on qualitative improvements designed to penetrate and degrade Ukrainian air defenses more effectively. Other recent modifications reported include equipping drones with countermeasures against intercepting aircraft.
This development comes amid broader reports of a significant expansion in Russia’s domestic drone production capacity, potentially allowing for the manufacture of hundreds of units daily. The emergence of the Geran-5 underscores the ongoing technological arms race within the conflict, presenting a fresh challenge to Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.