Russia Builds Major Drone Attack Base in Six Weeks, Satellite Images Show

Satellite imagery analyzed by Reuters shows Russia has nearly completed a major new drone attack base in its southwestern Rostov region in just six weeks, in what defense experts describe as a rapid expansion of the country’s jet-powered drone strike capability against Ukraine. The new Russia drone attack base, visible as an empty field on August 31 and a sprawling military complex by October 14, is designed to launch the Geran-4 and Geran-5 — Russia’s newest jet-powered attack drones — and could fire 100 or more drones in a single day.

Built in Six Weeks: What the Satellite Images Show

Overhead imagery of the new facility taken on August 31 showed a few vehicles in a field and no sign of construction. Imagery taken the following morning showed that work had already begun — and by this week the site had become a complex facility covering around 0.9 square kilometres, the Reuters analysis found.

The site lies about 3.5 km from Russia’s Millerovo air base, home to the 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. According to DroneSec, a private intelligence company, the new launch site likely sits inside the air defense “bubble” provided by systems at the air base, which would make Ukrainian attempts to target the facility more difficult.

Rob Jordan, programme director at the London-based RUSI think-tank, said the concrete pads and two possible takeoff rails visible in the imagery looked consistent with launch tracks for Russian Geran drones. He called the level of construction in such a short time impressive, adding that it showed the weight Russia is putting on its deep-strike capability.

Of the eight launch platforms identified at the site, two already had rails fitted, and rails were being constructed on two others, the Reuters analysis showed — with further construction visible from space over the course of three days this week.

Geran-4 and Geran-5: The New Jet-Powered Threat

Mike Monnik, founder and CEO of DroneSec, said the imagery showed a site capable of launching the Geran-4 and Geran-5 models, Russia’s newest types of jet-powered drone. The facility would add to an existing Russian network of at least 11 fixed launch sites used for drone attacks on Ukraine.

The construction coincides with a sharp increase in Russia’s use of jet-powered attack drones. Russia increased its use of the weapons roughly sixfold over three months this summer, according to Ukrainian military data reported by Reuters, with Kyiv and the surrounding region targeted most heavily.

The jet drones pose a particular problem for Ukraine because they are too fast for the interceptor drones Kyiv designed to cheaply shoot down their slower, piston-powered predecessors. Ukrainian officials acknowledge the country is now scrambling to devise a counter to the faster weapons.

What the Russia Drone Attack Base Reveals About NATO’s Defenses

Monnik warned that the combination of industrial production of jet-powered drones, their growing sophistication and the lack of comprehensive counter-drone defenses in many NATO countries posed a challenge for the West. “This ability to rapidly field an ability to launch large-scale attacks using UAS poses a strategic vulnerability for NATO countries,” he said.

The base’s construction comes as relations between Russia and the NATO alliance worsen. European governments accuse Moscow of stepping up sabotage, drone incursions and cyberattacks against them, while Russia warned last month it could use nuclear weapons if NATO attempted to cut off its Kaliningrad exclave.

With the war in Ukraine well into its fifth year, Kyiv expects Russia to further escalate drone and missile attacks this winter — and the new Rostov facility, Monnik said, could be fully operational “in a matter of weeks, if not earlier.”

Conclusion

The satellite evidence points to a significant and rapid expansion of Russia’s drone warfare infrastructure. Built in about six weeks and positioned to launch waves of jet-powered Geran drones, the new base underlines how the air war over Ukraine is shifting toward faster, harder-to-stop weapons — and raises fresh questions about whether NATO air defenses are keeping pace.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Russian drone base located?

The facility is in Russia’s southwestern Rostov region, about 3.5 km from the Millerovo air base, close to the Ukrainian border.

What are Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones?

They are Russia’s newest types of jet-powered attack drone, according to defense analysts. They can reach speeds of up to 600 km per hour, making them much harder to intercept than earlier piston-engine models.

Why are jet-powered drones harder to intercept?

Ukraine developed relatively cheap interceptor drones to counter slower, piston-powered drones. The jet-powered models fly too fast for those interceptors, and Kyiv is now trying to develop a new countermeasure.

How soon could the base become operational?

DroneSec founder Mike Monnik said the site looked very close to completion and would probably be fully operational within weeks, if not earlier.

Has Russia commented on the facility?

No. Russia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the facility or on its jet-powered drone programme more broadly.