Ukraine races to field faster interceptors as Russia hammers its energy grid

Jet-powered Gerans are Russian attack drones derived from the slower, propeller-driven Geran-1 and Geran-2, which were rebranded versions of Iran’s Shahed-131 and Shahed-136. Russia now uses faster models, including the Geran-4 and missile-shaped Geran-5, against energy facilities, bridges and other infrastructure. Their importance comes from speed and specialized payloads.

The fastest reported drones can reach 373 mph, compared with the much slower earlier models. The Geran-4 cruises at 217 to 311 mph, while the Geran-5 carries a 198-pound warhead. Newer Geran-4 versions use navigation systems and warheads designed to cut bridge structures and high-voltage pylons.

Russia is also developing still faster designs. Ukraine’s Air Force projects possible speeds of 500 to 560 mph, although none has yet been recorded at that speed. This has created a technology race between Russian jet drones and Ukraine’s developing jet interceptors.

Russia’s jet-powered drones can reach speeds of up to 373 mph, or 600 km/h. That is more than three times the speed of the propeller-driven Geran-2 drones they evolved from. The Air Force expects future versions could reach 500 to 560 mph, though no drone had yet been recorded at that speed.

During the reported Tuesday-to-Wednesday attack, Russia launched 167 missiles and drones. Officials identified 77 of them as jet-powered drones. They struck one of Kyiv’s main power plants and contributed to power cuts affecting 600,000 people. The 77 drones represented about 46% of the total launch, based on the figures provided.

The article does not state how large a share these drones could eventually represent across all Russian attacks. It does report that Russia stopped building the slower Geran-3 and increased production of the faster Geran-4, while also developing the Geran-5.

Speed compresses the time available for every part of an interception. Defenders must detect the drone, identify its path, launch an interceptor and guide it into position. A jet-powered drone covers distance much faster than a propeller-driven one, so a defense that worked against older Shaheds may no longer have enough time or speed.

The problem is worst when an interceptor chases from behind. The Ukrainian engineer quoted in the article said the Geran-5 is 150 km/h faster than the Geran-4. That means an interceptor approaching from the rear may struggle to close the gap. Ukraine therefore needs to intercept from the front, creating a harder engagement because the timing and approach must be precise.

Early interception rates were very low, although they later rose above 30% and then above 50%. Air force officials reported a 77% rate on one night, showing improvement but also a rapidly changing contest.

Ukraine is responding with several layers of defense. These include F-16 fighter aircraft, newly installed machine-gun turrets that use artificial intelligence for aiming, costly air-defense missiles and purpose-built jet interceptors. The country is also developing more effective countermeasures as Russia improves its drones.

Cheap interceptor drones were effective against the older propeller-driven Shaheds because those drones were slow. Mobile fire teams and inexpensive interceptors accounted for more than 70% of Shahed downings over Kyiv in February. Jet-powered Gerans travel much faster, reducing the chance that those interceptors can catch them, especially from behind.

Ukraine introduced its first jet interceptor, Alexa Spatium, on Aug. 21. Other prototypes have downed small numbers of Geran-5s. Fourteen companies are flight-testing jet interceptors, but officials do not expect delivery at the needed scale before the end of November at the earliest.

When jet drones hit infrastructure, the damage reaches far beyond the immediate blast. Attacks can disrupt electricity, gas production, transport and other systems that civilians and communities rely on. The article describes Russia using these drones specifically against energy facilities, bridges and critical infrastructure.

In one overnight attack, Russia launched 167 missiles and drones, including 77 jet-powered drones. Officials said the weapons struck one of Kyiv’s main power plants and left 600,000 people without power. A gas production facility in the Kharkiv region was also seriously damaged. Other drones repeatedly hit Kyiv’s South Bridge, including near a pier while a train crossed overhead.

The threat is becoming more specialized. A new 40-kilogram warhead was designed to destroy high-voltage pylons and iron bridge structures. Russia is also improving navigation and targeting, while Ukraine works to protect infrastructure with increasingly costly defenses.

Iran shipped Russia its first Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones in mid-August 2022. Russia renamed them Geran-1 and Geran-2 and began using them against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure by October. Their propellers made them slow enough for Ukraine to build an economical defense based on mobile fire teams and cheap interceptor drones.

That approach initially worked well. In February, interceptors accounted for more than 70% of Shahed downings over Kyiv. Russia then increased the pressure by developing jet-powered Gerans. It stopped building the slower Geran-3, increased production of the faster Geran-4 and introduced the missile-shaped Geran-5, which carries a 90-kilogram warhead.

Ukraine’s response is now a new interceptor race. The first jet interceptor entered service on Aug. 21, and prototypes have downed small numbers of Geran-5s. Fourteen companies are testing designs, but large-scale delivery is not expected until the end of November at the earliest.

Air defense must stop incoming weapons without exhausting the resources needed for future attacks. Cheap interceptors are useful when targets are slow and numerous. Fighter aircraft and advanced missiles can handle harder targets, but they are expensive, limited and difficult to replace. The balance matters especially when Russia launches large waves.

Ukraine once defended against slow Shahed drones with mobile fire teams and inexpensive interceptor drones. Those interceptors downed more than 70% of Shaheds over Kyiv in February. Jet Gerans changed the calculation because they can reach 373 mph. Ukraine must now consider F-16s, AI-guided machine-gun turrets, costly missiles and specialized jet interceptors.

Russia is optimizing both speed and warheads, while Ukraine is testing new interceptors. Fourteen companies are flight-testing designs, but the needed scale may not arrive until the end of November at the earliest. The contest therefore combines engineering, production capacity and scarce defensive resources.