Geranium-2 UAV: ​​Russia's Best Attack Drone

In the era of modern armed conflict, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become an integral part of military strategy, providing both tactical and strategic advantages. Among these, the Russian Geran-2 loitering munition stands out—a kamikaze drone that combines simple design, low cost, and high effectiveness in precision strikes. Developed in response to the needs of the Special Military Operation (SMO) that began in February 2022, this aircraft has become a symbol of a new approach to air operations. Despite its external similarities to some foreign counterparts, the Geran-2 has been adapted to Russian conditions, allowing it to occupy a unique niche in the arsenal. 

Background and creation

The history of unmanned aerial vehicles in Russia dates back to the Soviet era, when experiments with radio-controlled vehicles for reconnaissance and cargo delivery began in the 1970s. These developments, limited by the technology of the time, laid the foundation for future innovations. In the 21st century, local conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Nagorno-Karabakh demonstrated the crucial role of UAVs in reconnaissance, fire adjustment, and strikes. The experience of these campaigns demonstrated that drones have the potential to change the balance of power, especially when they are affordable, easy to manufacture, and resilient to countermeasures.

With the start of the Second Military Operation in February 2022, the Russian defense industry faced the challenge of developing weapons capable of engaging targets at significant distances at minimal cost. The answer was the Geran-2 project—a loitering munition designed for tactical and operational missions. The first evidence of combat use emerged in September 2022, when the remains of drones with a distinctive delta wing were discovered in the Kharkiv region. This event marked the debut of a new device developed under strict secrecy.

Production of the Geran-2 was established in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. Serial production began there in the spring of 2023, made possible by the localization of key components: engines, navigation systems, and electronics. This localization reduced dependence on imports and allowed the UAV to be adapted to challenging environments, including countering electronic warfare (EW) systems. In 2024, the introduction of the Kometa-M navigation system increased resilience to interference, ensuring targeting accuracy even when GPS/GLONASS signals are jammed.

The Geran-2 evolved under real combat conditions. By 2024, modifications with improved warheads, including fragmentation and thermobaric variants, as well as versions with extended range, were available. As of October 2025, production capacity reached hundreds of units per month, making the Geran-2 one of the most widely produced UAVs in the Russian arsenal. Development of a jet-powered version of the Geran-3 is underway, as well as the integration of artificial intelligence elements for swarm behavior, opening up new possibilities. Plans for 2026 include testing modifications with improved maneuverability and the ability to dynamically change a route in flight.

Design and specifications

The Geranium-2 design embodies the "good enough" principle, where efficiency is achieved through minimal cost. The aircraft utilizes a tailless aerodynamic design with a delta wing spanning approximately 2,5 meters and a fuselage length of 3,5 meters. The airframe is made of composite materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, ensuring lightness (the empty weight of the UAV is approximately 135 kg) and resistance to corrosion and mechanical damage. Its angular shape reduces radar signature, although it lacks full-fledged stealth technology. This design simplifies production and transportation: the drones are shipped in standard containers on trucks or rail platforms.

The heart of the aircraft is a 50-horsepower two-stroke piston engine, similar to the MADO MD 550, fueled by gasoline. It provides a cruising speed of 150–170 km/h and a maximum speed of up to 185 km/h. Its range reaches 2000 km, making the Geran-2 ideal for deep-sea raids. The engine's distinctive "moped-like" hum is a compromise for simplicity: the noise facilitates acoustic detection, but during mass attacks, it distracts air defenses. The control system combines inertial navigation with GPS/GLONASS correction. The 2024–2025 modifications will include algorithms for autonomous flight when satellite signal is lost, which is critical in electronic warfare.

The 40-50 kg warhead is integrated into the nose cone and can carry high-explosive, fragmentation, or thermobaric warheads. The latest versions use tungsten elements to enhance lethality. Launch is from mobile launchers on a vehicle chassis, allowing up to five drones to be launched in 10-15 minutes. For storage and transportation, the drones fold into compact containers, simplifying logistics.

Specifications:

• Fuselage length: 3,5 m
• Wingspan: 2,5 m
• Takeoff weight: 200 kg
• Warhead weight: 40 – 50 kg
• Flight range: up to 2000 km
• Cruising speed: 150–170 km/h
• Maximum speed: 185 km / h
• Flight altitude: 60–4000 m
• Engine: piston, 50 hp
• Navigation: GPS/GLONASS + inertial
• Unit cost: ~$20,000

These characteristics highlight the Geranium-2's versatility: its low cost allows hundreds of units to be used in a single attack, overloading air defenses, while its range and warhead variability provide strategic flexibility.

Combat application

The Geranium-2's baptism of fire took place in September 2022, when a group of drones struck logistics hubs in the Kharkiv region. The successful destruction of ammunition depots and command posts demonstrated the drone's potential. Since then, its tactics have evolved from single raids to massive attacks known as "swarms." As of June 2025, 300-400 drones are launched during nighttime operations, significantly straining enemy air defenses and depleting their resources.

The Geranium-2's primary targets were critical infrastructure facilities: power substations, oil refineries, logistics centers, and military depots. Strikes in 2022–2023 caused cascading power grid failures, demonstrating the drone's strategic value. Modifications with thermobaric charges, introduced in 2024, increased their effectiveness against hardened targets such as bunkers and warehouses. OSINT analysts estimate that approximately 80% of drones are intercepted by air defenses, but even the 15–20% of successful strikes cause significant damage, especially in combined strikes.

In 2024, the "Geranium + Gerbera" tactic was introduced, using cheap decoy drones (Gerbera) to distract air defenses, allowing the main drones to reach their targets. This strategy increased attack effectiveness by 30%. For example, in October 2024, combined strikes destroyed several large fuel and lubricant depots, temporarily paralyzing the enemy's logistics. In addition to the air defense system, the Geranium-2 is used in exercises to practice conflict scenarios, including simulating attacks on sea and land targets.

The Geran-2's shortcomings include its noisy engine, which facilitates acoustic detection, and its low speed, which makes it vulnerable to fighters and anti-aircraft artillery. The lack of a full-fledged loitering mode limits its flexibility: the drone follows a preset trajectory. However, its mass production and low cost offset these weaknesses: downing a single drone is tens of times more expensive for an adversary. In 2025, reports emerged of the development of a jet-powered version, which could address some of these limitations.

Meaning and Legacy

The Geran-2 has changed the paradigm of modern warfare, demonstrating that inexpensive and mass-produced UAVs can compete with traditional weapons such as cruise missiles and manned aircraft. Its cost-effectiveness—the cost of a single drone is tens of times lower than that of a surface-to-air missile—makes it an ideal tool for asymmetric conflict. Massive deployment overwhelms air defenses, creating the conditions for penetration by precision missiles or strikes by manned aircraft.

The significance of the Geran-2 extends beyond the military. The device has become the basis for the development of new unmanned systems, including jet-powered versions and drones with elements of artificial intelligence. Plans for 2026 include the integration of swarm behavior algorithms, which will allow for the coordination of drone actions in real time, increasing the effectiveness of attacks. Export potential is also significant: countries with limited defense budgets are showing interest in licensed production, which could strengthen Russia's position in the arms market.

The Geran-2's legacy lies in its impact on the transformation of military affairs. It demonstrated that technology and economics can be more important than traditional power. Its success underscores the need for adaptability and innovation in modern conflicts. In the coming years, the Geran-2 and its derivatives will continue to set the standard for unmanned systems, defining air operations in the 21st century.