UKRAINE, Jan. 12 — In early 2026, during combined air strikes against Ukraine, Russian forces used the new Geran-5 attack drone for the first time, reported Ukraine’s intelligence agency (HUR).

In the Kharkiv region, Russians are primarily using Geran-2 drones, which are 90-95% identical to the Iranian Shahed design, but with some adaptations. Moscow’s production changed chips, wires, cameras, and GSM systems.

According to HUR, Geran-5 has “significant” design and technological similarities with the Iranian Karrar drone.

The drone is about six meters long and has a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters. The Russians are also using a Telefly jet engine for the new modification of the drone, similar to the one used in the Geran-3 drones, but with “greater thrust.”

The Geran-5 explosive part weighs about 90 kilograms, and its claimed attack range is about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), meaning it could reach any point in Ukraine.

According to intelligence reports, the Russians are exploring options for deploying Geran-5 from aircraft carriers, particularly Su-25, to increase range and reduce costs.

Russians are also looking into equipping the device with R-73 air-to-air missiles to counter Ukrainian aviation.

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