Russia eyes faster Shahed drones to challenge Ukraine's interceptors — Forbes
Typical Iranian Shahed drone (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces can begin using upgraded, jet-powered versions of its Shahed attack drones (known in Russia as Geran) to counter Ukraine's drone interceptors, according to Forbes.
These are modified drones based on Iran's Shahed-136, featuring significantly higher speeds that could complicate Ukraine's air defense efforts.
Russian upgrades include satellite navigation protection, limited remote control in the final flight stage, cameras, and AI-based trajectory correction.
Despite the upgrades, the drones' effectiveness has plummeted since Ukraine began deploying swarms of AI-powered drone interceptors. These small UAVs fly up to 300 km/h and use AI algorithms to automatically target incoming drones, achieving interception success rates over 60%.
Russia looks for countermeasures
Experts say Russia has three potential ways to counter interceptors: evasive maneuvers, flying at extremely low altitudes, and increasing drone speed, the latter being the most practical upgrade.
In 2025, Russia began using a copy of the Iranian jet drone dubbed Geran-3, equipped with a Chinese-made Telefly turbojet engine capable of speeds over 500 km/h.
In early 2026, Russia deployed the Geran-5, with a wingspan of nearly 5.5 meters, a payload of up to 90 kg, a range of 1,000 km, and a top speed of 600 km/h.
However, jet engines make these drones more complex and expensive, potentially limiting mass deployment. Ukraine is preparing countermeasures, developing new high-speed interceptor drones.
"At the strategic level, Ukraine is also targeting the production and supply networks related to these drones. As part of its expanding deep strike campaign, Ukrainian forces have conducted long-range attacks on facilities involved in Geran assembly," Forbes reports.
Russia's drones: Latest updates
Previously, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence disclosed details of the Geran-5 jet-powered attack drone, capable of 600 km/h, and shared an interactive layout, constituent parts, and electronic architectures of the Geran-2E drone, which integrates a man-portable air-defense system.
The Ukrainian Air Force confirms that Russia is increasingly relying not just on missiles but on upgraded drones, with Shaheds evolving into a primary aerial threat against Ukraine.
