Russians Supplied with Chinese Radio Modems for Geran-5 Kamikaze Drones

The Russians have equipped their new Geran-5 kamikaze drone with Chinese XK-F358 radio modems designed for video transmission and device control.

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine demonstrated a detailed analysis of the new drone with this radio modem. Such devices have previously been found in Geran-2 and Gerbera drones.

The XK-F358 from the Chinese company Xingkai Tech is a specialized radio modem designed for unmanned platforms and the deployment of distributed communication networks.

In modern drone application scenarios, it is necessary to combine reliable command and telemetry multi-channel communication with the ability to transmit large amounts of data: video streams, telemetry, and map layers.

The Chinese radio modem, priced at $8,000, is positioned as a solution capable of providing such connectivity thanks to its wide frequency spectrum coverage and the use of COFDM modulation in a mesh topology.

The manufacturer’s website lists the device’s wide frequency capabilities, support for multiple bands, and high transmitter output power of 2 × 5 W.

Among the key advantages claimed by the manufacturer are multi-band capability, the ability to operate in a mesh network with self-healing routes, and the ability to provide communication over hundreds of kilometers.

An analysis of the technical characteristics shows that the device is designed for versatility: the modem supports bands that cover both lower frequencies for longer signal penetration and higher frequencies for high bandwidth.

The XK-F358 is designed for tasks that require distributed, reliable communication and mobility, such as controlling and telemetry for large groups of drones.

The device provides users with integrated services, including secure voice communication, data and video transmission, as well as visual command and dispatching capabilities.

Such mesh modems allow the formation of a dynamic network with chain relaying, where each modem acts as a repeater for other drones.

Geran-5

In January 2026, Ukraine discovered a new type of kamikaze drone that Russia used during one of its attacks on Ukrainian territory.

The appearance of the Geran-5 drone resembles a winged missile of similar dimensions: the length of the device is about 6 meters, and the wingspan reaches 5.5 meters.

The drone is powered by a Chinese-made Telefly jet engine.

The combat load of the aircraft consists of a 90 kg warhead, and the declared range of destruction reaches about 1,000 km.

The Geran-5 can be used from air carriers, in particular from Su-25 attack aircraft.