Ukraine With a Long-range Jet-powered Drone, According to Ukrainian Officials, in an Attack That Underscored Moscow's Growing Reach Deep

The Ukrainian Air Force said it detected an enemy drone flying over Ternopil toward the city of Dubno in the Rivne region. Rivne Regional Military Administration head Oleksandr Koval confirmed the aircraft was shot down by air defense systems in the south of the region. The Kyiv-based defense analysis platform Defense Express said the arrival of Russian jet drones in western regions surprised the public, but noted that published data had already demonstrated this capability.

According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, the Geran-4 drone, which can reach speeds of 320 kilometers per hour, has a range of 770 kilometers. The Geran-5, considered the Russian version of the Iranian-designed Karrar platform, can cruise at 450 to 600 kilometers per hour and reach a range of 950 kilometers. These technical specifications show that drones launched from Crimea or border regions can easily cover deep targets in western Ukraine, including Rivne.

Experts caution that the announced range figures represent maximum limits. The drones reportedly fly at low altitude, follow complex routes rather than straight lines, use terrain features, and circle around areas with concentrated air defense systems. Due to these maneuvers, the actual effective depth of the vehicles could be reduced by 30 to 50 percent compared to their theoretical ranges. Analysts also warned that Russia may deploy new jet drone platforms with similar or greater range, in addition to the known Geran models.