Russia plans to use jet-powered drones in 80% of attacks, sources say
Photo: Russian Geran-5 jet drone (Russian media)
Russia has changed its air attack tactics and begun using large numbers of Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered drones against Ukraine. Kyiv and the Kyiv region are the main targets, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing its own sources.
A series of virtually nonstop attacks involving jet-powered drones combined with traditional gasoline-powered Shahed drones has been underway since August 27. That day, during a nighttime attack involving 258 strike UAVs, about one-third were jet-powered drones.
During the day, more than 100 of approximately 140 drones were identified as jet-powered, with the majority directed toward the capital.
This trend continued in the following days. In particular, on September 1, 72 of the 99 drones launched during the day were jet-powered, while from September 2 to 4, the Air Force estimated that they accounted for roughly half of all Shahed drones used.
The ratio is not constant, and in some daytime waves, the share of jet-powered drones exceeded two-thirds.
Plans to ramp up production
Russian forces intend to significantly expand their use of jet-powered drones. According to sources, by November, as production capacity is expanded, Russia plans to increase the share of jet-powered drones used in attacks to around 80%.
Traditional gasoline-powered Shahed drones would account for only about 20% of all launches.
Earlier, an expert said that interceptor drones cannot shoot down Russia's jet-powered Geran-5 drones. At the same time, Ukrainian air defenses have demonstrated strong results in destroying these UAVs.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, said that Russia is launching small numbers of jet-powered drones at Kyiv in waves in an effort to paralyze the city.
