Russia bets on 500-km/h Geran-4 jets to outpace Kyiv’s cheap interceptors
Russia is expanding its jet-powered Geran-4 drones, capable of about 400–500 km/h, to outpace Ukraine’s low-cost interceptors as Kyiv’s defenses improve. Ukrainian officials say interceptor drones are now downing roughly half of incoming Shahed-type drones (up from about 10% in winter), a development defense adviser Beskrestnov says has raised the kill rate fivefold and altered the cost-benefit calculations of Russia’s long-range campaign. Ukraine is also scaling up inexpensive interceptors and domestic drones, while Russia’s drone output grows—relying on imported Chinese components—raising questions about how the balance between speed and volume will play out through 2026.