Cheap Russian decoy drones can now carry explosive warheads — photo

The publication quoted weapons expert Serhiy Beskrestnov, who stated that the drone can carry various warheads weighing up to 5 kilograms. He also released a photo showing a Gerbera drone equipped with a 2.5-kilogram fragmentation charge, slotted inside the nosecone of the UAV.

During the presentation of this drone in July last year, Russian arms manufacturers demonstrated its capability to be fitted with a warhead and used as a loitering munition. Russia also planned to equip the drone with a camera and a communication system.

Given Gerbera’s simple and inexpensive electronics with low precision, the enemy may deploy these drones for terror strikes on cities where precise coordinates are not a priority.

In November 2024, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) reported that Russia is extensively using Gerbera drones against Ukraine. The UAV features a Chinese engine and other foreign components. The intelligence agency also noted that approximately half of the drones launched by Russia at Ukraine are decoys designed to imitate Iranian-designed Shahed UAVs and overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses.