Ukraine says Russia has launched 7,700 turbojet drones so far, including 2,850 in August and 1,900 this month. Jet-powered systems now make up at least half of Russia’s long-range attacks on Ukraine; Kyiv says it intercepts about 60% of Russian drones.
Air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said the surge suggests Russia is finding ways to buy jet engines and other components. Kyiv says the engines are sourced from China and that some electronic parts found in the drones originated with U.S. or European firms. Politico reported plans from a Russian state firm to produce enough airframe material for 28,000 additional one-way attack drones annually, beyond the 36,000 Russia is already estimated to produce.
The propeller-driven Geran-2 flies about 115 mph. The jet-powered Geran-3 is thought to be a Russian counterpart to Iran’s Shahed-238, which is reported to reach 373 mph or 500 mph in a dive—speeds too high for typical interceptor drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had tested four types of jet interceptors in combat, but production remains at an early stage; Ukrainian firms announced only a small number of takedowns this summer.
