Russia increasingly uses jet drones to make Ukraine waste air defense missiles
Russia is increasingly using jet drones during strikes on Ukraine, which complicates the work of Ukrainian air defense. This was reported by Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force.
Illustrative image. Photo: Anton Petrus / Getty Images
According to Yuriy Ihnat, such drones can develop speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour. Because of this, Ukrainian interceptor drones, whose maximum speed is about 300 kilometers per hour, can no longer effectively pursue them. As a result, expensive air defense system missiles, whose supplies are limited, have to be used to destroy such targets.
Ihnat also reported that during the last massive attack on Ukraine, Russian forces used about six "Banderol" loitering munitions. According to the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Force, in terms of its flight characteristics, "Banderol" is similar to a cruise missile, but Ukrainian air defense has the means to intercept it.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi previously stated that Russia is constantly changing its tactics for using drones, increasing their number and improving their design. According to his assessment, in the future, jet drones could constitute up to half of all attack drones.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russia is already using several modifications of the "Geran" family of drones. The "Geran-3" model received a turbojet engine, which allows it to develop significantly higher speed than earlier versions. In early 2026, according to the Ukrainian side, a new "Geran-5" drone, which has an even more powerful jet engine, was recorded for the first time.
It is reported that this apparatus is capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 90 kilograms and covering a distance of about a thousand kilometers, which allows it to reach any point on the territory of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian side notes that, despite the need to use expensive air defense missiles, the effectiveness of intercepting aerial targets remains high and exceeds 90 percent.
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