Russia strikes Ukraine with upgraded Geran-5 featuring optical navigation
Photo: Serhii Beskrestnov, defense-technology adviser to Ukrainian President (t.me/serhii_flash)
Russia has attacked Ukraine with a new variant of the Geran-5, called the Geran-5 K5-K. The weapon features an optical navigation system, along with greater range, speed, and flight altitude, according to presidential adviser on defense technology Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov.
The Geran-5 K5-K was first detected about a month ago. Its main difference from previous versions is optical navigation.
This technology allows the weapon to navigate using images of the surrounding terrain rather than relying solely on satellite signals, which electronic warfare (EW) systems attempt to jam.
The new variant also has improvements in three areas:
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Flight range
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Speed
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Altitude
Photo: Russia attacked Ukraine with a new Geran-5 variant called the Geran-5 K5-K (t.me/serhii_flash)
According to Beskrestnov, Russia also used a new, low-cost Filin missile that same day. It, too, was first spotted only about a month ago.
The day before, Beskrestnov showed off the new Filin missile, which Russia is attempting to use as a replacement for Shahed drones. It has a range of up to 1,200 km (745 miles), a speed of up to 800 km/h (497 mph) and a flight altitude of up to 6 km (3.7 miles). Its warhead is comparable in weight to that of one or two Shahed drones.
Russia began using the Filin cruise missile against Ukraine in late summer. At the time, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) explained that Russia was focusing on inexpensive strike weapons powered by Russian-made engines.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence continues to track foreign-made components found in Russian weapons. In particular, HUR published a list of foreign components used in Kometa navigation modules, which are designed to resist electronic warfare interference. Russian forces are installing these modules in missiles and drones on a large scale.
