16:04 13-01-2026

Russia Uses New Quiet Drones in Strikes Across Ukraine

Reports say Russia used quieter drones with unusual sound signatures in strikes on Kiev, Odessa and several regions, causing fires and local power outages.

Ukrainian monitoring platforms have reported the use of Russian drones whose acoustic signatures differ markedly from the UAVs known as Geran.

According to information obtained by Voennoe Obozrenie, the sound produced by these new drones does not match the familiar noise of Geran systems, which in Ukraine are commonly referred to as Shahed. Observers say that in flight the drones emit an unfamiliar sound, making it difficult at first to identify them as unmanned aircraft.

Several reports also point out that the drones fly more quietly and produce a distinct whistling noise, suggesting the use of a different UAV type rather than the standard Geran platform.

Strikes involving drones were reported in the Zhitomir, Chernigov, Kiev, Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk regions. Information indicates that targets were hit near Vasilkovka in the Dnepropetrovsk region, as well as in Borispol outside Kiev, where one of the country’s key logistics hubs is located — Ukraine’s largest airport.

In addition, Ukrainian public sources reported fires following strikes in the industrial zone of Odessa. These incidents reportedly led to power outages in certain districts of the city and the surrounding region.

Earlier reports also mentioned Russia’s use of Geran-5 drones. According to information circulating on Ukrainian public platforms, these UAVs differ significantly in configuration from the Geran-2 models. Their stated flight range is around 1,000 kilometers, indicating an expanded operational reach compared to earlier variants.