Russia deploys fast jet‑powered Geran drones, straining Ukraine's air defences — UnionPress

New jet‑driven Geran‑4 and Geran‑5 drones, faster and higher‑flying than earlier models, now make up half of Russian drone attacks, lowering Ukraine's interception rate and raising concerns ahead of winter.

Russia has begun to rely heavily on a new generation of jet‑powered attack drones, the Geran‑3, Geran‑4 and Geran‑5, which are markedly faster and more difficult to intercept than the earlier propeller‑driven Geran‑2 models. Ukrainian officials say these drones accounted for roughly fifty per cent of the unmanned aircraft used in recent raids on cities, and that the success rate of Ukraine's air defences fell from over ninety per cent to around sixty‑five per cent within a week.

The Geran‑4, first spotted in combat in May, can cruise at between three and four hundred kilometres per hour, with some reports suggesting speeds as high as six hundred kilometres per hour. By contrast the Geran‑2, a copy of the Iranian Shahed‑136, tops out at about two hundred kilometres per hour. The higher speed shortens the reaction window for surface‑to‑air missile systems and even for fighter interceptors.

Altitude is another factor. While the older drones typically operate below one kilometre, the jet‑powered versions can climb to five kilometres, placing them above the effective reach of many short‑range air‑defence assets that Ukraine has deployed along the front line.

These performance gains come at a cost. The BBC reports that each Geran‑4 costs between $30,000 and $40,000, roughly three times the price of a Geran‑2. The engines are sourced from China, although Russian officials have expressed a desire to produce them domestically in the future.

Deputy head of Ukraine's HUR military intelligence service, Vadym Skibitskyi, told RBC Ukraine that Russia is turning out about five hundred of the jet‑driven drones each month. The Kremlin's own plans aim for these aircraft to represent half of all unmanned systems it produces.

The shift coincides with a broader reduction in the total number of drones launched. In June and July, Russian drone sorties fell by roughly a third compared with May, suggesting a strategic decision to replace quantity with higher‑performance platforms.

Beyond speed, the Geran‑4 incorporates a suite of sensors and communications equipment. According to drone specialist Serhii Beskrestnov, a former adviser to former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, the aircraft carry multiple cameras operating in different spectra and a mesh‑network modem that allows the operator to maintain control even if one link is disrupted. An automatic target‑recognition system further reduces the need for human guidance during the final approach.

Video evidence compiled by open‑source analysts shows the jet‑driven drones striking a range of civilian and military assets. In the Black Sea region they have hit cargo vessels and port infrastructure, temporarily halting a portion of Ukraine's maritime exports. On land, they have damaged locomotives, electrical substations, warehouses, hangars and even a large shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih.

One striking example, shared on social media on 17 July, shows a Geran‑4 diving onto a dry‑cargo ship en route to the Chornomorsk port in Odesa Oblast. Another clip from 26 July captures the moment a drone slammed into the Epicentr retail complex, igniting a blaze that forced the evacuation of shoppers and staff.

These attacks underline a growing vulnerability for Ukrainian logistics and supply chains. The ability of a relatively inexpensive unmanned system to disrupt maritime traffic and damage critical inland infrastructure raises concerns about the resilience of supply routes as winter approaches.

Ukraine continues to rely on a layered air‑defence architecture that includes short‑range systems such as the Soviet‑era "Vampire" missiles, modern fighter aircraft and mobile teams equipped with man‑portable air‑defence systems (MANPADS). However, the same sources note that these measures are far less effective against the fast‑moving Geran‑4. While Ukraine's legacy systems can still shoot down roughly ten per cent of the jet‑driven drones, the overall interception rate has slipped dramatically.

Industry insiders point to the development of interceptor drones capable of matching the speed of the Geran‑4. A company called Wild Hornet claims that a prototype could be ready for operational use as early as October, potentially restoring a higher level of protection before the expected winter escalation.

The drone challenge is part of a wider Russian effort to boost its long‑range strike capability. Skibitskyi told RBC Ukraine that in July Russia produced missiles at 110‑120 per cent of its planned output. Notably, the country reached its annual production quota for the hypersonic Zircon and the anti‑ship Onyx missiles within just seven months.

Production of the Iskander short‑range ballistic missile also rose, with factories churning out sixty to sixty‑five units each month. These missiles have proven difficult for Ukrainian forces to intercept, further stretching the limited air‑defence resources available on the front lines.

Analysts warn that the combination of faster drones, higher‑altitude flight paths and an expanding missile stockpile could shape the nature of Russia's winter campaign. While traditional artillery and rocket fire remain a threat, the new unmanned systems allow Moscow to strike deeper into Ukrainian territory without risking pilots or expensive aircraft.

For civilians, the increased risk of attacks on energy infrastructure and transport hubs could translate into more frequent power outages and supply disruptions during the cold months. Trade unions and consumer groups across Europe have already expressed concern that a prolonged winter of aerial attacks could exacerbate energy price volatility and strain already stretched household budgets.

European governments, many of which are still grappling with the economic fallout of the pandemic and the war, are watching the development closely. The ability of Ukraine to protect its critical infrastructure will affect not only its own resilience but also the stability of supply chains that feed into the wider European market, from agricultural exports to raw materials needed for industry.

Ukraine's military leadership says it is accelerating the procurement of more advanced air‑defence systems, including medium‑range surface‑to‑air missiles that can engage targets at higher altitudes. International partners have pledged additional equipment, but delivery timelines remain uncertain.

In the meantime, the rapid deployment of jet‑powered Geran drones illustrates how the conflict continues to evolve technologically, forcing both sides to adapt their tactics and equipment. Whether Ukraine can close the gap in interception rates before the harsh winter sets in will be a key factor in determining the humanitarian and economic toll of the war on both Ukraine and its European neighbours.