Cheap Russian decoy drones can now carry explosive warheads — photo
Cheap styrofoam Gerbera drones, previously used by the Russian military as decoys against Ukrainian air defenses, now carry explosive payloads, Ukrainian outlet Defense Express reported on Feb. 3.
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.
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