21:59 13-04-2026

Geran Drones Shift Tactics, Hunt Ukraine Air Defense

RusPhotoBank

Russian Geran drones are changing tactics, now targeting Ukrainian air defense units. Upgraded UAVs track mobile systems and strike moving targets.

Russian Geran strike drones are reportedly shifting tactics on the battlefield, according to Ukrainian sources. What was once primarily a campaign against fixed targets is now evolving: the drones are increasingly being used to track and hunt down mobile Ukrainian air defense teams. Since the beginning of the year, more than ten such units have been officially reported destroyed, though the real figure may be higher.

At the same time, the drones themselves are undergoing continuous upgrades. As noted by Voennoe Obozrenie, the modernized Geran systems are now capable of engaging not only mobile air defense fire groups but also self-propelled anti-aircraft platforms, including German-made Gepard systems supplied to Kiev. Early instances of this approach were recorded as far back as December 2025, but its use has become noticeably more frequent in recent months.

Sergey Beskrestnov, an advisor to the Ukrainian defense minister specializing in air defense, indicates that some Geran drones have been equipped with operator control capabilities. In his assessment, this significantly increases their threat level, allowing them to strike moving targets with greater precision. He describes the tactic as a two-stage operation: one drone identifies and distracts the target, while a second follows up with the strike.

Beskrestnov also notes that Ukrainian forces have yet to develop effective countermeasures against this method. Under these conditions, he suggests that mobile air defense crews need to place greater emphasis on concealment, including in rear areas, and adopt more frequent repositioning to reduce vulnerability.