AMK Mapping, an X account specializing in open-source intelligence data on the war in Ukraine, posted a video on August 28 showing an aircraft flying at high speed and making a loud noise. "This appears to be the first video showing Russia's jet-powered Geran drone in action. The aircraft flew over Kyiv province on the morning of August 28," the account stated.

The account suggests that Russia has significantly increased production of the Geran-3, allowing for more frequent use of the new drone, especially in attacks targeting Kyiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Poltava provinces.

Neither the Russian Ministry of Defense nor the Ukrainian military has commented on the information.

The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that Russia used 598 Geran-series drones and decoy aircraft, along with two Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, 9 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles in the August 28 attack. The command claimed to have intercepted one Kinzhal missile, 7 Iskander-M missiles, 18 Kh-101 missiles, and 563 drones, but admitted that 40 missiles and drones got through.

Ukrainian officials later discovered wreckage of a jet-powered Geran drone in Kyiv, including a Czech-made PBS TJ40-G2 engine and a Bosch 0-580 fuel pump. PBS stated they did not supply engines to Russia, asserting that the discovered debris "is not a PBS TJ40-G2 engine".

The Geran-3 is believed to be a Russian variant based on the design of the Iranian-developed Shahed-238 jet-powered drone. Ukrainian media reported the Geran-3 first appeared in February, and the Russian military has recently increased its use.

Debris with the inscription "U-36 Geran-3" recovered by Ukraine. Photo: Militarnyi

According to Russian and Western military news sites, each Geran-3 is approximately 3.5 m long, has a 3 m wingspan, and a service ceiling of over 9,000 m. The Geran-3 can fly continuously for two hours, with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 380 kg, significantly higher than the 50-90 kg of the Geran-2.

Ukrainian air defenses are facing challenges countering the Geran-3, as the jet-powered drone typically flies above 2,000 m, beyond the effective range of the 12.7 mm M2 machine guns deployed with mobile fire units.

Man-portable air defense systems like the Soviet Igla and the American-made Stinger can shoot down targets at this altitude. However, Ukraine's stockpile is dwindling, and soldiers often reserve them for more important targets, such as long-range cruise missiles.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)