Automated machine-gun turrets deployed in Kiev are unlikely to provide an effective defense against high-speed jet-powered drones used by the Russian Armed Forces, according to Russian military experts commenting on the appearance of more than 12 new firing systems in the Ukrainian capital.

The Military Informant Telegram channel noted that the effective range of the Browning M2 machine gun is about 1.5 kilometers. With jet-powered Geran drones traveling at roughly 400–500 km/h, the system would have only a few seconds to detect and engage an incoming target even under favorable conditions.

The channel’s authors argued that the Sky Sentinel turret would likely be considerably less effective against the jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 than against the slower piston-powered Geran-2.

In their assessment, such systems are better suited to serving as a final layer of air defense. Their primary role would therefore be point defense of individual facilities rather than comprehensive protection of Kiev from jet-powered drones.

Military Informant also suggested that the turret’s limited engagement range could create an additional risk in an urban environment, as damaged drones may fall within populated areas.

Meanwhile, Sergey Beskrestnov, an adviser to Vladimir Zelensky on unmanned systems, said 12 such complexes have already been deployed in Kiev and that their number is expected to increase. He advised residents to stay as far away from windows as possible during air raid alerts.

Beskrestnov added that the system is a Ukrainian development designed to destroy jet-powered Geran drones with machine-gun fire. Targeting and control of the turrets also make use of artificial intelligence.