In 2026, Ukraine has been approving two to three new UAV models every day. Not all of them are innovative technologies, but the size and variety of the market speak for themselves. Russia, meanwhile, has pursued a different strategy: selecting the most effective solutions and scaling up their production.
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Aerial Drones
President Zelenskyy said Ukraine would intensify strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow’s renewed air campaign aimed at forcing residents to flee Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Russia updated its jet-powered Geran-4. The new version features an additional autonomous navigation system, a magnetometer to increase the accuracy of the inertial system, and a new warhead designed to destroy specific infrastructure elements. The Chinese Telefly turbojet engine has been replaced by a Russian equivalent produced in Alabuga.
Russia has begun deploying a new variant of the Geran-5 attack drone, designated Geran-5 K5. It features a redesigned fuselage and a DSMAC electro-optical navigation system that uses reference images of terrain, similar to the Kh-101 cruise missile.
SIM cards from Polish mobile operators were found in some Russian Gerbera drones that violated Polish airspace in September 2025. Mobile connectivity is a valid way to control drones remotely.
Unusual whisker-like protrusions have been spotted on Russian Geran drones. Ukrainian expert Serhii FLASH suggested they function as mechanical impact fuzes. Volunteer Sternenko similarly suggested they are designed to trigger the warhead upon contact with small targets, such as power lines.