Russian forces have recently overhauled their approach to air strikes against targets in Ukraine’s rear, deploying new jet-powered drones designed to penetrate air defense systems. According to Forbes, upgrades to the aircraft and changes in Russian strike tactics have sharply reduced the effectiveness of Western air defense and electronic warfare equipment.

The magazine noted that Russia had long relied on relatively inexpensive Geran-2 drones for attacks on Ukrainian targets. As Kiev introduced countermeasures, Russian forces began using more advanced versions, including the faster jet-powered Geran-3 and Geran-4, as well as remotely controlled unmanned aircraft.

The new drones can reportedly reach speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour and operate at high altitude. They are equipped with intelligent sensors that allow them to evade anti-aircraft fire even when satellite navigation is completely jammed.

Forbes said Russia is increasingly assigning specific Geran variants to missions that match their individual capabilities, rather than relying on large waves of identical drones.

Around 200 basic piston-engine drones are used each day to overload and exhaust Ukrainian air defenses, while also targeting warehouses and railway trains near the front line, according to the publication.

The jet-powered Geran-3 and Geran-4 serve a different purpose. Russian forces reportedly use them for precision attacks against high-priority targets deep in the Ukrainian rear.

The magazine said these drones had successfully struck military vessels in Odessa, air bases in the Nikolayev region and industrial facilities in Zaporozhye.