Tel Aviv: The Geran-3 armed drone, assembled in Russia, causes a new major problem to the air defence systems operated by Ukraine. Israel is trying to get details about the use of this advanced drone in Ukraine, supposing that it may be used by Iran and its proxies against targets in Israel.
The jet powered drone is based on Iran’s Shahed-238 design, and recent report indicate that it is being used to attack targets in Ukraine. The Geran-3 replaces the piston engine of the earlier models with a jet engine, enabling speeds exceeding 500–600km/h and operational altitudes up to 9 km. It is about 3.5 metre long with a 3 metre wingspan, weighing up to 380 kg, and can reportedly remain airborne for about two hours.
Ukrainian reports confirm its use in multiple 2025 attacks, including on Kyiv and in northern Ukraine. Debris from these drones has been recovered inside Ukrainian territory. Its speed and higher operating altitude make it much harder to intercept with both drones and conventional anti-air systems, requiring advanced interception methods, such as fighter jets or sophisticated anti-air missiles.
The Geran-3 is a Russian version of Iran’s Shahed-238, and according to sources it is assembled in the Russian site in Alabuga. According to the sources, only limited numbers have been used so far, with small-batch production confirmed by the appearance of serial-numbered wreckage in Ukraine. Serial production is projected to begin in summer 2026, but operational prototypes are already seeing combat use in Ukraine as of mid-2025.
Ukraine is trying to intercept this advanced armed drone with its existing air-defence systems.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
