The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said it has identified a new type of kamikaze drone used by Russia during a recent attack on Ukrainian territory.
The information was published on the official website of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service.
According to the agency, the new unmanned aerial system, designated Geranium-5, exhibits significant differences compared to the Geranium-2 and Geranium-3 models. The aerodynamic design is more like a cruise robot than previously used drones, with a length of about six meters and a wingspan of about 5.5 meters.
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For navigation to the target, Geranium-5 uses a 12-channel Kometa satellite navigation system, as well as a tracking unit based on a Raspberry microcomputer and 3G and 4G communication modems. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the drone is powered by a Chinese-made Telefly jet engine, similar to the one used in the Geran-3, but with higher thrust.
The warhead consists of a warhead of approximately 90 kg, with an estimated range of up to 1,000 kilometers. The Main Directorate of Intelligence also assesses that the Geranium-5 can be fired from airborne platforms, such as Su-25 attack aircraft.
In addition to the main warhead, the drone can be equipped with R-73 air-to-air missiles with infrared guidance. This configuration would enable engagements against aerial targets, thereby expanding the system’s battlefield roles. According to the Ukrainian assessment, the combination of jet engine and air-to-air missiles can make it more difficult to fight the drone with helicopters or airplanes.
Despite this, the agency points out that there is still uncertainty surrounding the practical implementation of this concept and the technical feasibility of effectively using the R-73 missile on a drone of this type.
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Service also adds that Geranium-5 is very likely not a fully domestically developed system within the Russian military-industrial complex. Technical analysis of the design shows significant similarities to the Iranian Karrar drone, suggesting possible influence or technology transfer.
Source and images: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine gur.gov.ua. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editors.
