Russia’s Expanding Drone Arsenal: From Shaheds to High-Speed and Fibre-Optic Systems

More than four years into the Russia-Ukraine war, the use of unmanned systems has evolved into a central element of Russia’s military operations. The country is now deploying a broad range of drones designed for long-range strikes, battlefield reconnaissance, precision attacks and efforts to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences.

The latest information cited by the CIA has raised concerns about the potential use of Russian drones against Spain, France or Italy from vessels linked to the shadow fleet in the Mediterranean. Ukrainian military information indicates that Russia’s unmanned arsenal extends well beyond the Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

During a major overnight bombardment on 27 August, Ukrainian air defences reported shooting down or neutralising 233 Russian targets, including 258 attack drones, two Oniks anti-ship missiles and several Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles. About one-third of the drones were reportedly jet-powered, while the remainder included Shahed-type systems, Gerbera drones, Banderol missiles and decoys.

The growing diversity of Russia’s drone fleet reflects a shift away from reliance on a single platform. Moscow is combining relatively inexpensive drones deployed in large numbers with faster systems designed to challenge increasingly sophisticated air-defence networks.

Cost is another important factor. According to the source material, interceptors costing around $1 million may be used against drones valued at roughly €25,000-40,000, creating an economic imbalance that Russia can exploit through repeated waves of attacks.

Alabuga becomes the centre of Russia’s drone production

A major share of Russia’s drone production is concentrated at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, approximately 1,200 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.

The complex covers more than 2.8 million square metres, with an estimated 15% of its facilities devoted directly or indirectly to military production. Composite airframes are manufactured there, engines and electronic systems are assembled, and completed components are stored.

Ukrainian strikes have reportedly prompted Russia to move significant parts of the production chain underground. A Ukrainian open-source analyst estimates that about 42,000 square metres of underground facilities have already been constructed at the site.

Russian media cited by The Economist report that daily Geran-2 production has surpassed 100 units, with plans to increase output to 500 per day. Overall production estimates vary. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimated that Russia was producing about 5,500 drones per month in March 2026, while Ukrainian military intelligence estimated August production at roughly 3,000 Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones and 2,800 Geran-2 drones.

Geran-2 remains a key long-range strike drone

The Geran-2, Russia’s version of the Iranian Shahed design, has formed the backbone of many Russian drone attacks since 2022.

The aircraft is around 3.5 metres long, has a wingspan of approximately 2.5 metres and weighs about 200 kilograms. It uses a Mado MD-550 piston engine producing roughly 50 horsepower and has a cruising speed of about 185 km/h.

Depending on the version, its range is estimated at between 1,000 and 2,500 kilometres. The reinforced Russian version carrying a 90-kilogram warhead has a range of around 1,000 kilometres. Its standard explosive payload is estimated at between 30 and 50 kilograms, while the reported unit cost ranges from $20,000 to $50,000.

Russia turns to jet-powered Geran drones

As Ukrainian interception capabilities have improved, Russia has increasingly introduced jet-powered variants.

The Geran-3, based on the Shahed-238, combines the Geran-2 airframe with a turbojet engine. It can reach between 300 and 370 km/h and has an operational range approaching 1,000 kilometres, with a warhead of around 50 kilograms. Ukrainian intelligence has also identified foreign components in recovered examples, including parts manufactured in the United States, China and Europe.

The Geran-4 features a redesigned airframe with integrated fixed wings intended to reduce drag. Specialist analysis puts its cruising speed at 300-350 km/h, with maximum speeds of up to 500 km/h. It can reportedly operate at altitudes of 4,000-5,000 metres and carry a 50-kilogram warhead over a range of 450-850 kilometres.

A Geran-4 reportedly covered around 960 kilometres on 28 August 2026 while flying at high altitude. Its estimated cost is between $85,000 and $120,000 per unit.

The newer Geran-5 can reportedly reach speeds of up to 600 km/h, with a range of approximately 950 kilometres and a payload of around 90 kilograms. German-made transistors have reportedly been found in recovered examples, while the Geran-4 and Geran-5 are powered by the TF-TJ2000A engine.

Jet drones challenge Ukrainian air defences

The deployment of faster Geran variants has coincided with a decline in reported Ukrainian interception rates.

According to the source material, Ukraine intercepted more than 90% of drones launched against its territory in March 2026. By June, after jet-powered Geran drones had been deployed on a larger scale, the reported interception rate had fallen to just over 50%.

Kyiv subsequently introduced its own jet-powered interceptors, including the Alexa Spatium, which entered service on 21 August 2026.

Gerbera evolves from decoy into attack drone

The Gerbera was initially developed as a relatively inexpensive decoy intended to saturate radar systems alongside genuine Geran-2 drones. It has increasingly acquired an offensive role.

Ukrainian intelligence identifies JSC Alabuga Skywalker Technology Co. as its manufacturer. The drone is around two metres long, has a wingspan of 2.5 metres, can reach up to 160 km/h and has a reported decoy range of 300-600 kilometres.

Gerbera drones produced at Alabuga have reportedly been fitted with high-explosive fragmentation warheads manufactured by Bazalt and KZ-6 charges.

Lancet targets frontline military equipment

Unlike the long-range Shahed and Geran systems, the Lancet is designed as a short-range precision weapon.

Manufactured by ZALA Aero Group, part of the Kalashnikov concern, it is intended to attack targets including artillery systems, radar equipment and armoured vehicles.

The Lancet family includes the Izdeliye 51 and Izdeliye 52 variants. The latter has a reported endurance of 40 minutes and carries a three-kilogram warhead. The standard version has a range of up to 40 kilometres, while a model identified in 2025 reportedly featured a redesigned antenna system that extended its range.

Reported cruising speeds range from 80 to 110 km/h, while dive speeds can reach 300 km/h. The system uses GLONASS-based inertial navigation during its approach and electro-optical correction during the final phase.

Claims about a much larger Lancet XXL variant have circulated on social media, but the source material notes that the system has not been officially confirmed by ZALA Aero or Russia’s Defence Ministry.

Orlan-10 provides battlefield reconnaissance

The Orlan-10 serves a different purpose. Rather than functioning primarily as an attack drone, it is used for reconnaissance, artillery correction and monitoring troop movements.

Manufactured by the Special Technology Centre in Saint Petersburg, the aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 16.5 kilograms and can carry up to six kilograms of equipment, including daytime and thermal cameras.

Its endurance is around 18 hours, with a reported range of 120-600 kilometres depending on operating conditions. The drone has a cruising speed of approximately 110 km/h and a maximum speed of 150 km/h. More than 1,000 units have reportedly been produced across 11 variants.

Orion combines surveillance and strike capabilities

The Orion is described as Russia’s most ambitious combat drone, although its serial production has been relatively slow and it has not played as prominent a role as the Shahed family.

Produced by the Kronshtadt Group, the Orion is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV weighing about one tonne. It can reach 200 km/h, operate at up to 7,500 metres and remain airborne for up to a day.

Its reported range is around 250 kilometres, extendable through satellite communications. The aircraft can carry up to four air-to-surface missiles with warheads weighing between seven and 20 kilograms. Its reported armament also includes the X-50 missile and, more recently, the S8000 Banderol cruise missile.

Fibre-optic FPV drones bypass electronic warfare

Another development in Russia’s drone arsenal focuses not on greater range or speed but on resistance to electronic warfare.

Fibre-optic FPV drones remain physically connected to their operators by cable. As a result, they do not rely on radio signals that can be detected or jammed.

One of the first known Russian systems of this type was the Kniaz Vandal Novgorodsky, developed by the volunteer technology group Ushkuinik and deployed around August 2024 in the Kursk region.

Typical cable lengths range from five to 20 kilometres, although some prototypes have reportedly reached 50 kilometres. Russian quadcopters using the technology generally have operational ranges of 20-30 kilometres and can carry payloads of up to two or three kilograms.

A so-called “Sleeper” variant uses a Gibernator module that allows the drone to remain dormant for extended periods without emitting a signal. According to its chief engineer, it can remain on standby for up to a month during summer.

A diversified drone fleet

Russia’s current unmanned arsenal encompasses systems with sharply different roles and capabilities: inexpensive drones designed for mass attacks, high-speed jet-powered platforms, decoys that can now carry explosives, precision weapons for frontline targets, reconnaissance aircraft and fibre-optic FPV systems designed to operate outside the reach of conventional electronic warfare.

Some of the systems described in the source material have ranges approaching 1,000 kilometres. It therefore raises the possibility, according to the source, that drones launched from vessels associated with the shadow fleet in the Mediterranean could potentially reach targets in Spain, France or Italy.