A Mi-8 helicopter from the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down a Russian Geran-2 drone at close range during one of the recent air incursions along the eastern front.
The incident highlights the growing role of tactical aircraft in defending against kamikaze munitions launched by Russia, as well as the technological evolution of Shahed-136–type drones of Iranian origin.
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The Geran-2 is a Russian-produced version of the Shahed-136, known for its low cost and ease of mass production. According to Ukrainian intelligence estimates, Moscow plans to produce up to 40,000 Geran-2 units and another 24,000 decoy versions by the end of 2025.
These munitions have been widely used in saturation attacks aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s air defense systems.
The latest variants incorporate new optical guidance systems that enable remote control via mobile SIM cards, with future plans to migrate to Russian satellite internet connections. This upgrade allows the drones to operate in networked swarms, sharing data with other unmanned aircraft such as the Gerbera system — significantly enhancing their tactical coordination and operational reach.
Weighing around 200 kg, the Geran-2 is launched by catapult using a solid-fuel booster and powered by a 50 hp piston engine.
The drone carries a warhead of up to 90 kg of fragmentation explosives, capable of destroying command posts, radars, fuel depots, bridges, and fortified positions. Its maximum range is estimated at 2,000 km, with a cruising speed of 180 km/h, an operational ceiling of 4,000 meters, and endurance of up to 12 hours.
The unit cost of the Geran-2 ranges between USD 20,000 and USD 50,000, making it a weapon of significant operational and psychological impact relative to its low production cost. Experts note that the mass use of such drones poses an increasing challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, requiring adaptive countermeasures — including the deployment of helicopters and automatic weapons — to neutralize close-range threats.
Source and images: Army Recognition, Kyiv Independent, Defense Mirror | Instagram @drone_wars_. This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
