Russia's faster Geran-5 jet drones strike Kyiv, outpacing Ukrainian defenses

In Kyiv, a Geran-5 jet-powered drone slammed into the Presidium building of the National Academy of Sciences, setting it ablaze and killing two civilians, before another identical munition hit a private medical clinic a few blocks away. Engineers note the Geran-5 travels about 150 km/h faster than the earlier Geran-4, forcing Ukraine to attempt interceptions from the front rather than the rear, a considerably tougher task.

Ukraine's interception rate for jet-powered drones stands at 57%, according to President Zelensky's recent address. Russian production estimates suggest up to 3,000 Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones are manufactured monthly, with plans to increase output. Each Geran-5 costs roughly $115,000, using a Chinese-imported turbojet engine priced at $40,000, positioning it between cheap piston drones and costly cruise missiles.

Analysts highlight that while the drones carry a 90-kg warhead, they are still less destructive than larger missiles, yet their speed and volume pose a growing challenge for Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian firms and research institutes are working on faster interceptor drones, including propeller-driven models that can sprint to 600 km/h to meet the Geran-5's speed.