---
title: "Russia Dangerously Upgrades \"Geran\" Drones: ISW Reveals New Capabilities"
description: "The Institute for the Study of War reported a large-scale upgrade of Russian \"Geran-4\" drones featuring new navigation sensors, engines, and warheads to bypass electronic warfare."
date: 2026-10-06T06:26:02.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/russia-upgrades-geran-drones-isw
tags: [russia-ukraine-war, drones, geran-4, isw, electronic-warfare, military-tech]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Russia Dangerously Upgrades "Geran" Drones: ISW Reveals New Capabilities

![Upgraded Geran-4 strike drone in flight](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/06/rf-modernizirovala-gerani-isw-novye-vozmozhnosti/rf-modernizirovala-gerani-isw-novye-vozmozhnosti-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Russia updated navigation and warheads of "Geran-4" drones for EW resistance.
- Drones now feature domestically produced engines manufactured in "Alabuga".
- New KRSN cumulative warhead is designed to destroy bridges and concrete.
- ISW warns of the threat of new drone models targeting infrastructure this winter.

The Russian Federation has carried out a large-scale and dangerous modernization of its long-range strike drones "Geran-4", significantly updating their navigation systems, power units, and warheads. According to a recent report by the Institute for Study of War (ISW), these changes are designed to increase the drones' resistance to electronic warfare (EW) systems and maximize their effectiveness in strikes against Ukraine's critical infrastructure.

### Key Technological Upgrades of UAVs

During the modernization, the "Geran-4" received advanced autonomous navigation components, including a high-precision American-made magneto-inductive sensor. This device allows the drone to independently determine its flight direction even under active EW signal jamming. Furthermore, Russia has replaced the imported jet engine with a domestically produced power plant assembled at a facility in the "Alabuga" special economic zone. This reduces the Russian military-industrial complex's dependence on foreign components and scales up production.

### New Warhead and Threat to Logistics

A major change is the introduction of a specialized KRSN cumulative-cutting warhead designed to destroy reinforced concrete and steel structures. Analysts link this to recent massive Russian strikes against Kyiv's Northern and Southern bridges.  Experts emphasize that Moscow aims to expand the combat capabilities of UAVs faster than Ukraine can adapt countermeasures, posing severe risks ahead of the upcoming winter period.

### Tactical Challenges and AFU Response

Beyond the "Gerans", Russian developers continue to expand the range of platforms used. Notably, on October 5, the 8th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported intercepting a new large-scale reconnaissance drone "Molnia-13" equipped with four engines. Simultaneously, experts point to Russian attempts to increase the speed of jet UAVs up to 800 km/h, which will require fundamentally new solutions from Ukrainian air defense and interception assets currently designed for slower targets.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [РФ опасно модернизировала "Герани": ISW раскрыл новые возможности дронов](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rf-nebezpechno-modernizuvala-gerani-isw-rozkriv-1791267668.html) - Оригинальный отчет аналитиков ISW о модификации навигации, двигателей и боевой части БПЛА.
- [Видит с 8 км: как вблизи выглядит БпЛА "Герань-4" и почему он особенно опасен (видео)](https://focus.ua/voennye-novosti/768355-reaktivnyy-dron-rf-geran-4-vidit-cel-s-vysoty-8-km-video) - Технические характеристики и особенности конструкции обновленного реактивного дрона.
- [Россия установила на "Герань" систему РЭБ: Флеш рассказал, есть ли меры противодействия](https://www.unian.net/weapons/geran-rossiyane-ustanovili-na-bespilotnik-sistemu-reb-13479507.html) - Комментарии экспертов по поводу внедрения устойчивости к радиоэлектронной борьбе.
- [Реактивный дрон-камикадзе «Герань-4» установил рекорд дальности на Украине](https://www.mk.ru/politics/2026/08/19/reaktivnyy-dronkamikadze-geran4-ustanovil-rekord-dalnosti-na-ukraine.html) - Данные о дальности полета и боевом применении реактивных модификаций.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What are the main changes made to the "Geran-4" drone?
**A:** The drone received new autonomous navigation systems with an American magneto-inductive sensor, a domestically produced engine from "Alabuga", and a KRSN cumulative-cutting warhead.

### Q: Why is the modernization of "Geran" drones dangerous for Ukraine?
**A:** The upgrades make the drones resistant to electronic warfare and increase their capability to destroy fortified objects, including bridges and energy infrastructure.