Military expert Yuri Knutov believes the upgraded Russian Gerbera-2 drone can do more than overload Ukraine’s air defenses and is now also capable of striking targets on its own.

According to Knutov, the new version is larger and features wings fitted with elevons, a more powerful warhead and a 63-liter fuel tank. He noted that the original Gerbera was developed as a decoy drone designed to distract and exhaust enemy air defenses ahead of Geran strikes.

Knutov said the two drones appear identical on radar screens, making it harder for the opposing side to distinguish between them.

He also noted that some Gerbera drones had previously managed to break through to their targets. Developers later decided to increase the warhead weight and improve the guidance system.

In Knutov’s assessment, the larger fuel tank and increased explosive load suggest that the upgraded drones could also be used against targets in more remote areas of western Ukraine.

He expects the Gerbera-2 to retain its primary role of saturating Ukrainian air defenses and helping Geran drones reach their targets. At the same time, the upgraded aircraft can now also serve as a strike weapon.

Knutov listed concentrations of equipment and personnel, air defense systems, fuel and energy infrastructure, logistics facilities including locomotives, as well as port installations and dry cargo ships among the potential targets.