A new modification of the Russian «Gerbera» drone has been spotted in the skies over Ukraine. This was reported by Ukrainian President's advisor Serhiy «Flash» Beskrestnov in his Telegram channel. According to him, the new version of the drone has significantly larger dimensions compared to previous models, making it visible even to the naked eye.
New Threat: Characteristics and Objectives
Serhiy Beskrestnov emphasized that «Gerbera» is not just a kamikaze drone, but a multi-functional platform capable of performing various tasks. He urged Ukrainians who have captured the new version of the Russian drone to come forward so that specialists can study its features. «As you can see, the person in the photo is not handing over the trophy. Just kidding, I asked them to take a photo so we could quickly assess the size», the advisor joked.
History of «Gerbera»: From Cheap Alternative to Serious Threat
«Gerbera» appeared around 2024 as a cheap alternative to the «Geran-2» (Russian version of Shahed-136). It is significantly smaller, simpler to produce, and much cheaper. The drone's body is made of very inexpensive materials: plywood, foam, and plastic parts. One of the main tasks of «Gerbera» is to overload the Ukrainian air defense system, forcing it to spend resources on destroying numerous targets.
Contradictory Data
While the Ukrainian side highlights the threat posed by the new modification of «Gerbera», Russian sources, such as topwar.ru, point out that «Gerbera» was originally created as a decoy target but eventually evolved into a reconnaissance-strike drone. This creates a contradiction in assessments of the drone's real capabilities and intended use.
Context: Mass Attacks and Air Defense Response
On the night of August 7, Russia attacked Ukraine with more than 140 drones. It is currently unknown how many of them were neutralized by the Ukrainian air defense system. However, the appearance of the new modification of «Gerbera» adds another level of complexity to the defense of Ukraine's airspace.
International Context: Aid from the US
In connection with the intensification of Russian attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the US for air defense missiles. Donald Trump, the former US President, responded to this request, although the details of his response have not yet been disclosed. Additionally, it has become known when the Ukrainian Freyja system might begin shooting down ballistic missiles, which could become an important factor in the fight against Russian attacks.
