Russia Uses New Geran-5 Kamikaze Drone Against Ukraine for the First Time

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (DIU) has identified a new type of kamikaze drone that Russia used during one of its attacks on Ukrainian territory.

This was reported on the DIU’s official website.

The new drone, designated Geran-5, has little aerodynamic similarity to the Geran-2 or 3. Its appearance more closely resembles that of a cruise missile, measuring about 6 meters in length and up to 5.5 meters in wingspan.

To guide the drone to its target, Russian forces use a 12-channel Comet satellite navigation system, a tracker based on a Raspberry microcomputer, and 3G/4G modems.

A Chinese-made Telefly jet engine powers the drone. The powerplant is similar to that used on the Geran-3 UAV but provides greater thrust.

The drone carries a 90-kilogram warhead, and its declared strike range is about 1,000 km. The DIU also notes that the Geran-5 can be launched from airborne platforms, including Su-25 attack aircraft.

In addition to the main warhead, the drone can be fitted with R-73 air-to-air missiles equipped with infrared homing seekers.

Such a configuration would turn the drone into a platform capable of engaging air targets, significantly expanding its potential battlefield role. The use of a jet engine and R-73 missiles would complicate interception by helicopters or aircraft.

However, the key question remains the practical implementation of this concept and the technical feasibility of employing the R-73 in this role.

The DIU also reported that the new drone is most likely not an indigenous development of Russia’s defense industry.

An analysis of its design indicates significant technological similarities with the Iranian Karrar drone.

Militarnyi previously reported that the DIU had released new information on a modification of the Russian Geran-2 UAV of the “E” series.

According to the DIU, Russia has adapted the Soviet R-60 air-to-air missile for installation on a drone, primarily to target Ukrainian helicopters and aircraft involved in intercepting Russian UAVs.

The missile, mounted on an APU-60-1MD launcher, is installed on a special bracket on the upper forward section of the Geran fuselage. This allows the drone not only to carry out strike missions but also to pose a threat to aircraft.