Analysis·Political

Russia Uses Jet-Powered Geran Drones at 500 km/h Against Ukrainian Cities

As of 2h ago·10 sources·5 events in story·Verified · 19/24 claims supported

Moscow has switched to jet-powered Geran drones that reach speeds of up to 500 km/h and reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defenses. Kyiv is responding by strengthening defenses and warning of drones capable of cutting metal and bringing down power line towers.

Sources

· 10

ulysmedia.kz

Россия применяет реактивные «Герани» со скоростью 500 км/ч против украинских городов

aljazeera.com

Польша начала расследование пожара на заводе деталей для дронов

aljazeera.com

Украина укрепляет Донецк на фоне наступления России на Славянск

techradar.com

Украина заявила о российских дронах для резки металла электросетей

oilprice.com

Четыре года войны в Украине выявили пределы российской военной мощи

defensenews.com

Польша предупреждает: Россия может использовать захваченные украинские дроны против НАТО

reuters.com

Польша и страны Балтии усиливают охрану дамб, электростанций и газопроводов из-за угрозы ложного флага России

rferl.org

Спутниковые снимки указывают, что Россия сняла ПВО в Арктике, сообщает RFE/RL

reuters.com

As Russia deploys jet-powered Shaheds, companies turn to faster interceptor drones

rferl.org

Shahed-136 Drone (“Geran-2”)

Key points

Russia has shifted from propeller-driven Geran drones to jet-powered models with speeds of up to 500 km/h, and in some attacks up to two-thirds of the drones are equipped with jet engines.
Ukrainian military intelligence reported Russian drones with wing-mounted charges designed to cut metal and bring down power line towers.
Poland has opened a terrorism investigation into the fire at the WB Electronics plant, which supplies drone components for the Polish and Ukrainian militaries.
Ukraine reinforced two units defending Sloviansk, while Britain and France agreed to transfer Storm Shadow cruise missile technology to Kyiv.
The full-scale war, now in its fifth year, has disproved the Kremlin's assumption of a quick victory and exposed the limits of Russia's conventional military power.

What happened

Ukrainian military intelligence reported Russian drones with wing-mounted charges designed to cut metal and bring down power line towers. The damage could cause power outages in frontline regions and require several days to repair.

Why it matters

The speed of up to 500 km/h reduces the time Ukraine has to detect the drones and deploy countermeasures. These figures show that jet-powered Geran drones are faster than most current interceptors.

What changed

Previously, the propeller-driven Geran-2 had a maximum speed of about 185 km/h. The new jet-powered version reaches 500 km/h.

Who's affected

Ukraine reinforced two units defending Sloviansk after a decision by Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Mykhailo Drapatyi on 26 August; the United Kingdom and France agreed to transfer Storm Shadow cruise missile technology to Kyiv. Poland has opened a terrorism investigation into the fire at the WB Electronics plant in Skarżysko-Kamienna; the company supplies drone components for the Polish and Ukrainian militaries.

Context

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is in its fifth year and has disproved the Kremlin's assumption that massed troops and Soviet stockpiles would ensure a quick victory. Ukraine has inflicted serious damage on Russia's conventional armed forces, but Russia's Northern and Pacific Fleets, strategic nuclear forces, and cyber and space capabilities remain largely intact.

Previously

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Russia had captured a large number of Ukrainian drones and could use them against NATO or for a provocation.
Poland and the Baltic states stepped up security at dams, power plants and gas pipelines amid intelligence warnings of a possible provocation using Ukrainian drones.
Satellite imagery indicated that Russian air defense systems had been removed from at least three Arctic sites to counter Ukrainian drone attacks.