05/26/2026
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has published
an analysis of the component base of the Geran-4 jet attack drone. The document explained how this model differs from the usual Shahed, which is designated as Geran-2 in the Russian Federation, and also named its main shortcomings.
Information about the design and characteristics of the new drone appeared in the analysis of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s GUR. The intelligence noted that after an unsuccessful attempt to simply replace the gasoline engine with a jet engine in the Geran-3, Russian developers were forced to create a virtually new glider.
The message says: ” The new Geran-4 glider allows for active maneuvers at speeds from 300 to 400 km/h, and its reinforced design allows it to withstand significant overloads.”
New drone body
Initially, Russian designers tried to limit themselves to minimal changes. For the Geran-3, they simply installed a jet engine instead of a gasoline engine, but the body of the conventional Shahed could not withstand high-speed flights and maneuvers with heavy overloads.
Because of this, a new glider was created for the “Geranium-4” . Its wings are no longer separated from the center section, and the design itself has become stiffer and stronger. But along with this, new difficulties have arisen – production has become more complicated, and transportation is less convenient. And this, by the way, is one of the details that experts pay attention to.
The new drone also has fewer technological hatches to reduce aerodynamic drag. This helps with flight speed, but makes assembly and pre-launch preparation more difficult.
Range limitation
According to the analysis, the maximum speed of “Geran-4” can reach 500 km/h. The drone is capable of carrying a warhead weighing 50 kg or an enhanced one weighing up to 90 kg. At the same time, the flight range is up to 450 km.
The dimensions of the device have almost not changed compared to the regular “Shahed”. The length of the drone is 3.5 meters, and the wingspan is about 3 meters.
However, the range has become one of the main drawbacks of the jet version. For comparison, the flight range of the original “Shahed” is estimated at 1,800–2,500 km. Because of this, the “Geran-4” can no longer strike targets located further than the Kyiv, Kirovohrad and Odessa regions from the existing launch areas.
In addition, even for such strikes, the enemy will have to launch the drone along a direct route and without additional maneuvers to bypass air defense systems. And in an economical speed mode, the Shahed jet, as noted in the material, remains vulnerable to conventional anti-aircraft drones.
Cost and engines
Strengthening the structure automatically increases the cost of production. The Geran-4 requires more powerful servos, stronger hull elements, and a more efficient fuel pump for the jet engine. Also, the technological production cycles have become longer than those of the Geran-2.
The Defense Express article notes that the plan to maximally unify the new drones with previous versions was not fully implemented. In fact, after the failure with the Geran-3, the Russian Federation received another drone with a higher price, more complex production, and a shorter flight range.
Separate attention was paid to the engines in the analysis. Both the Geran-4 and the Geran-5, created on the basis of the Iranian Karar, are equipped with the same Chinese TF-TJ2000A turbojet engines from Telefly. Their thrust is 1.95 kN or 200 kgf.
The GUR believes that it was the supply of these engines from China that allowed the Russian Federation to begin preparations for the possible mass production of jet drones.
As OBOZ.UA reported, the previous evening, the occupiers had struck Bogodukhov with a drone. Among the victims was a 5-year-old girl.
And during a massive night attack on May 24 in Kyiv, the occupiers destroyed the Chernobyl Museum, the market and the shopping mall in Lukyanivka, and damaged the Foreign Ministry building. There are dead and dozens injured.