War in Ukraine: Russia begins mass production of jet drones Geran 4 and 5, so fast they overwhelm Ukrainian air defense.

Moscow is highlighting the rise of faster and more challenging drones to intercept, just as Ukrainian defenses were adapting to the profile of the Geran 2. This shift in paradigm poses a new structural threat to Ukrainian anti-drone systems.

During the night of May 14, 2026, over 400 Russian drones swarmed over Ukraine – including, for the first time in significant numbers, jet-propelled aircraft. Behind this wave, an industrial breakthrough: Moscow officially launched the mass production of its Geran 4 and Geran 5, according to Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR). This assessment, published on May 19, 2026, reveals a capacity of up to 500 jet-propelled drones per month, with the goal of having 50% of the fleet engaged in jet-propelled aircraft, as reported by the specialized website MetaDefense.

Context: The article discusses the emergence of advanced drones by Russia and the significant change in the Ukrainian defense landscape due to these developments.

Fact Check: The details about jet-propelled drones and the launch of Geran 4 and Geran 5 are based on information from Ukrainian military intelligence.

Drones Too Fast for Current Defenses

While Ukrainian anti-drone systems were gradually calibrated to the speed, altitude, and trajectories of Geran 2 – equivalents to Iranian Shahed 136 – Moscow is now focusing on jet-propelled variants. The mass production of Geran 4 and Geran 5 has begun, along with tests conducted directly in Ukraine under real operational conditions.

Ukrainian military intelligence points out that the superior speed of these drones allows them to breach the initial defense layers. Interceptor drones face difficulties in tracking high-speed targets, and neutralization through light weapons or anti-aircraft guns becomes uncertain.

Context: The article elaborates on the challenges posed by the new drones for Ukrainian defense mechanisms and the implications of their advanced features for interception strategies.

The Geran 5, with Near-Intercontinental Range

Formally identified on January 11, 2026, after analyzing debris recovered in Ukraine by GUR, the Geran 5 was revealed to reach speeds between 450 and 600 km/h, with an operational radius of about 950 kilometers and a payload of around 90 kilograms. The drone is powered by a Chinese turbojet engine, integrating components from China, the US, and Germany.

Transitioning to jet-propelled drones incurs higher costs and longer manufacturing times compared to Geran 2. In April 2026, Russia had already launched a record 6,583 long-range drones against Ukraine, indicating a 2% increase from March. If the monthly production of jet-propelled aircraft continues, the available volumes could locally strain defenses in a matter of months.

Fact Check: The details about the technical specifications and capabilities of the Geran 5 drone are sourced from Ukrainian military intelligence.