Russia Builds Massive Jet Drone Launch Base Near Ukraine in Just Six Weeks

Russia has nearly completed a large launch base for jet-powered attack drones near Millerovo, in the southwestern Rostov region. The site is about 3.5 kilometers from a Russian air base. Its construction matters because it gives Russia another location for launching drones against Ukraine, potentially increasing the scale and speed of attacks.

Satellite imagery showed the area grow from an empty field into a complex covering about 0.9 square kilometers between Aug. 31 and Oct. 14. That is roughly six weeks of construction. DroneSec founder Mike Monnik identified eight launch platforms along the western edge, with launch rails already installed on two.

Monnik said the base could become operational within weeks, or sooner. He also said it might launch 100 or more jet-powered drones in 24 hours, depending on supplies and operational needs. The rapid construction shows how quickly Russia can expand established offensive capabilities.

A jet-powered attack drone is an unmanned aircraft driven by a jet engine and used to strike targets. In the article, Russia’s Geran-4 and Geran-5 are described as jet-powered drones capable of speeds up to 600 kilometers per hour. Their speed is the key difference highlighted in the report.

Piston-powered drones use piston engines and generally fly more slowly. The article does not give a specific speed for those models, but it says jet-powered drones are harder to stop with relatively inexpensive interceptor drones. A faster target gives defenders less time to detect it, launch an interceptor, and guide that interceptor into position.

Russia has sharply increased its use of the faster drones. Ukrainian military data showed roughly sixfold growth over three months this summer. That change could put extra pressure on Ukraine’s air defenses, especially as attacks continue in repeated waves.

The planned launch base is large enough to support sustained drone operations. It covers about 0.9 square kilometers, an area Reuters compared with roughly 126 soccer pitches. Its size suggests room for multiple launch positions and supporting activity, although the article does not describe every structure at the site.

DroneSec founder Mike Monnik identified eight launch platforms along the facility’s western edge. Satellite imagery showed that two of those platforms already had launch rails installed. Launch rails are the visible equipment used to send the aircraft into the air, indicating that at least part of the facility is moving toward operational use.

Monnik estimated that the base could potentially launch 100 or more jet-powered drones in 24 hours. The actual number would depend on supplies and operational requirements. Russia usually launches drones in smaller waves throughout the day, rather than sending every available drone at once.

The new facility lies close to Millerovo air base, which is home to Russia’s 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. Its location matters because a launch site near an established military base may benefit from nearby protection. DroneSec assessed that the facility likely falls within the air-defense coverage of the air base.

Air defenses are designed to detect and respond to threats approaching protected areas. If the launch facility is inside that coverage, Ukrainian weapons or drones attacking it could face additional defenses before reaching their target. The article does not identify the specific air-defense systems deployed there, so their exact capabilities are not stated.

This location could help Russia preserve the new launch infrastructure and keep operations running. Monnik said the base might become operational within weeks, or sooner. A protected site could therefore support continued drone attacks while making efforts to disable the launch platforms more difficult.

Faster drones are difficult targets because speed compresses the defender’s reaction window. After detection, Ukraine must identify the incoming aircraft, launch an interceptor, guide it toward the target, and complete the engagement. A drone moving much faster can cover the remaining distance before those steps are finished.

The article contrasts jet-powered drones with slower, piston-powered models. It says Ukraine has increasingly relied on relatively inexpensive interceptor drones against Russian attacks, but that jet-powered models are harder for those interceptors to stop. The article does not provide detailed engagement ranges or interception rates, so the exact advantage is not quantified.

Russia’s use of the faster drones increased roughly sixfold over three months this summer, according to Ukrainian military data. That shift could reduce the effectiveness of a low-cost defense approach and force Ukraine to rely more heavily on other air-defense resources as attacks intensify.

If Russia can launch larger numbers of jet-powered drones in repeated waves, Ukrainian cities could face more frequent and difficult attacks. Kyiv and the surrounding region are already among the hardest-hit areas in the article. More incoming aircraft would create more targets for defenders to detect, track, and engage.

The new facility could potentially launch 100 or more jet-powered drones in 24 hours. Russia typically sends drones in smaller waves throughout the day, so the same daily capacity could support repeated attacks rather than one single strike. The faster aircraft would also be harder to stop with Ukraine’s relatively inexpensive interceptor drones.

That combination could stretch Ukraine’s air defenses, increase pressure on available interceptors, and complicate protection of populated areas. Ukraine expects Russia to intensify drone and missile strikes this winter. The article also says Russia’s expanding launch infrastructure could concern NATO countries because of possible wider drone incursions and sabotage risks.

Modern air defenses first search for threats with sensors such as radar, infrared systems, or other surveillance tools. Radar can detect an object and estimate its position, direction, altitude, and speed. Operators and automated systems then classify the contact as a drone, missile, aircraft, or possible false alarm.

Tracking systems update the object’s path and calculate where it may go. Command networks can combine information from several sensors and assign the threat to the most suitable weapon. Defenders may use fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, guns, electronic warfare, or interceptor drones, depending on the target and available resources.

The chosen interceptor aims to destroy or disable the incoming object before it reaches its target. Faster drones reduce the time available for every step, from detection to engagement. The article specifically says jet-powered drones are harder to stop with inexpensive interceptor drones, but it does not describe Ukraine’s complete air-defense system.