Russian jet-powered drones getting faster, flying farther
REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Russia’s new Geran-4 jet-powered
kamikaze UAVs can now fly up to 600 kilometers inside Ukraine, Ukrainian presidential
adviser Serhii Beskrestnov told NV Radio on Aug. 26.
“Jet-powered Geran-3 Shaheds flew about 300 to 350 kilometers,” Beskrestnov said.
“Now, the Russians hardly launch jet-powered Geran-3 Shaheds and instead use Geran-4 Shaheds. The Geran-4 can already fly 400, 500 or 600 kilometers. So it’s no longer just Kyiv — these drones can reach deeper into Ukraine and attack more distant targets.”
Earlier, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) said that Russian forces had begun using a new jet-powered attack drone, the Geran-4, against Ukraine in May 2026. The agency said the drone is faster and more dangerous than earlier versions.
According to the report, Russia built earlier versions of the Geran-3 using the airframe of the gasoline-powered Geran-2. However, that airframe was not strong enough to withstand high speeds and aggressive maneuvering.
Russian forces developed a new airframe with a reinforced
structure and improved aerodynamics. The Geran-4 was designed in response to
the effectiveness of Ukrainian interceptor drones, the agency said. The drone’s
dimensions remain unchanged: 3.5 meters long and 3 meters wide. The upgraded UAV
was also found to use one of two Chinese-made Telefly turbojet engines.
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