Ukraine says Russian Geran-5 drones can reach 1,000 km/h

Ukraine says Russian Geran-5 drones have reached speeds of 1,000 km/h, according to Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky on defence technology.

He said the speed was recorded while the drones were manoeuvring.

The jet-powered drones are a newer version of Russia’s attack drones, which are used in strikes on Ukraine.

Earlier accounts put the Geran-5’s speed at about 600 km/h, while monitoring groups had recorded speeds of up to 800 km/h.

Beskrestnov says Ukraine’s defences struggle to keep pace because Russia introduces new drone versions as Ukrainian interceptors are developed and deployed.

That means interceptors made for one version may not work against the next.

Faster drones add pressure to Ukraine’s air defences, which are already facing frequent Russian drone and missile attacks.

The sources give no details of a specific Ukrainian response or what happens next.