Ukrainian intelligence announced that Russian forces have for the first time deployed a new and advanced kamikaze drone (UAV) in combat. This new platform, called Geran-5, is a jet-engine long-range UAV with several key features different from previous models.
GUR officials stated that Russia activated this platform during the complex air strikes in mid-January and initial analyses showed that the platform bears foreign design influence. Additionally, it is said that Geran-5 has wider and more powerful strike capabilities compared to earlier variants. This UAV, characterized by approximately 6 meters in length and a 5.5-meter wingspan, can carry about a 90-kilogram warhead and reach an attack range close to 1,000 kilometers.
The differences between the two platform types are also noteworthy. Unlike the Iran-origin Shahed-type flying wing design, Geran-5 has a conventional aerodynamic structure. These design choices enable the platform to achieve higher cruising speeds, perform better at high altitudes, and facilitate the integration of external payloads. Ukrainian intelligence emphasizes that many subsystems of this new UAV are shared with other Geran models, making it a more scalable design.
Target and Tactical Features
It is indicated that Geran-5 is used by Russia with missile launches from Su-25 combat aircraft. This points to Moscow developing new tactics to extend range and reduce detectability on the battlefield. Moreover, Ukrainian forces claim that Russia is trying to integrate these UAVs with MANPADS systems, complicating air defense measures.
Ukrainian sources assert that the JT80 turbojet engine, produced by the Chinese company Telefly, is used in Geran-5’s motor. According to TWZ, this engine provides higher performance than the jet engine in Geran-3 and increases the UAV’s speed. The choice of jet engine allows the platform to reach higher speeds compared to propeller-driven models, thereby reducing the likelihood of detection by air defense systems.
The debris from Geran-5, especially those shot down by Ukrainian air defenses, demonstrates that this platform is a new generation UAV technology. These developments indicate that Russia has entered a new phase in countermeasures against kamikaze UAVs.
