First strike with Russia's new Geran-5 drone: How it threatens Ukraine
Illustrative photo: Russia used the Geran-5 for the first time (GettyImages)
At the beginning of 2026, during combined aerial attacks against Ukraine, Russian forces used the new Geran-5 strike drone for the first time, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate.
According to available data, the new UAV differs significantly from previous modifications of the Geran line. The aircraft is about 6 meters long with a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters and is built using a conventional aerodynamic design. At the same time, most of its key components remain unified with other drones in this series.
Technical characteristics of the Geran
The new drone features the use of:
- a 12-channel Kometa satellite navigation system;
- a tracker based on a Raspberry microcomputer;
- 3G/4G modems for communications;
- a Telefly jet engine, similar to the one used on the Geran-3 but with greater thrust.
The warhead weighs about 90 kg, and the strike range is up to 1,000 km.
Iranian trace and new deployment scenarios
As with previous Geran drones, experts note that this UAV can hardly be considered an indigenous Russian development. Significant structural and technological similarities with the Iranian Karrar drone have been recorded.
In addition, the enemy is working on options to launch Geran-5 from aircraft carriers, including Su-25 attack jets, which could increase the operational range and reduce the cost of strikes. The possibility of equipping the drone with R-73 air-to-air missiles to counter Ukrainian aviation is also being considered.
Specialists from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate are already conducting a comprehensive study of samples of the new UAV used by Russian forces during the attacks.
What is known about Russian drones
Back in July last year, we reported that the Security Service of Ukraine had identified Chinese-made components in Geran drones used by Russia to attack Kyiv.
We also reported that a complete set of equipment for converting a drone into an FPV format was recorded for the first time on the wreckage of one of the Shahed drones.
Last year, Russia equipped Shahed-type kamikaze drones with Starlink satellite communication systems, enabling the occupiers to use these UAVs not only for strikes but also for reconnaissance.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate stated that the production of Russian missiles and UAVs involves more than a hundred foreign components. Therefore, Iran is not the only country contributing to the arming of the aggressor state.
