Russia has built a major new facility for launching jet-powered attack drones near Ukraine in just six weeks, according to defence experts who analysed satellite imagery, as Moscow expands its long-range strike capabilities.
The site in Russia’s southwestern Rostov region had transformed from an empty field on August 31 into a complex spanning roughly 126 football pitches by Wednesday, with images from commercial satellites showing construction nearing completion.
The development comes as Russia increases its use of jet-powered drones against Ukraine, which has struggled to intercept the faster weapons. The drones can reach speeds of up to 600 kilometres per hour, posing a growing challenge to Ukrainian air defences.
Mike Monnik, founder and chief executive of private intelligence company DroneSec, said the facility appeared capable of launching Russia’s newest jet-powered drone models, the Geran-4 and Geran-5.
He identified eight platforms on the western side of the site that could accommodate launch rails for the drones. The facility would add to a Russian network of at least 11 fixed launch sites used in attacks on Ukraine.
“The speed of construction … demonstrates the ease with which Russia can bring now-established offensive capabilities to bear rapidly,” Monnik said, adding that the site appeared close to completion and could become operational within weeks, if not sooner.
Monnik estimated that the facility could potentially launch 100 or more jet-powered drones in 24 hours, although actual capacity would depend on supplies, operational objectives and other factors. Russia typically launches the drones in smaller numbers throughout the day.
Rob Jordan, programme director at the London-based RUSI think-tank, said concrete pads and two possible launch rails visible in the imagery were consistent with tracks used for Russian Geran drones.
“This level of construction in this short a time is impressive,” he said, adding that it reflected Russia’s growing confidence in its deep-strike capabilities, potentially at the expense of conventional ground forces.
The facility’s development comes amid worsening relations between Russia and NATO. European governments have accused Moscow of escalating sabotage, drone incursions and cyberattacks, while Russia warned last month that it could use nuclear weapons if NATO attempted to cut off its Kaliningrad exclave.
Monnik said the combination of mass production, increasingly sophisticated jet-powered drones and gaps in counter-drone defences posed a strategic challenge for Western countries.
“This ability to rapidly field an ability to launch large-scale attacks using UAS (unmanned aerial systems) poses a strategic vulnerability for NATO countries,” he said.
The site covers approximately 0.9 square kilometres and is located about 3.5 kilometres from Russia’s Millerovo air base, which houses the 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. DroneSec assessed that the new facility likely falls within the air defence coverage provided by the base, potentially making Ukrainian attempts to destroy it more difficult.
Satellite images showed that construction began on the morning after the August 31 imagery was captured. Of the eight launch platforms, two already had rails installed, while rails were being built on two others. Additional construction activity was visible in images taken over three days this week.
Military analysts say Russia has increasingly shifted drone production towards jet-powered models as Ukraine develops ways to counter slower, propeller-driven drones. Ukrainian military data indicated that Russia’s use of jet-powered drones increased roughly six-fold over three months during the summer, with Kyiv and its surrounding region facing the heaviest attacks.
The faster drones are more difficult to intercept using the inexpensive interceptor drones Ukraine developed to counter their slower predecessors, forcing Kyiv to seek new defensive solutions.
Russia’s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new facility or the country’s jet-powered drone programme.
Ojo Triumph
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