Russia may have used a new jet-powered kamikaze drone during a recent missile and drone attack on Kyiv, Ukrainian military officials and analysts said Wednesday, June 11.
Wreckage found after the June 10 attack included a small jet engine and an avionics panel similar to those used in Iranian-made Shahed drones. Experts believe this points to the use of a Russian-made version of the Iranian Shahed-238, possibly called the Geran-3.
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Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) has warned since February that Russia is building its own version of the Shahed-238 on its territory.
Photo: Defense Express.
The drone was shot down over Kyiv during a recent wave of Russian attacks. Residents reported hearing a sharp, whistling sound – different from the buzzing noise made by older propeller-driven Shaheds. The unusual sound was later linked to the jet engine found among the remains.
Analysts at Defense Express, a Ukrainian defense news outlet, said the engine found at the crash site was consistent with the Tolou-10 or Tolou-13 turbojet, an Iranian-made engine believed to be a copy of the Czech PBS TJ100.
This engine allows the drone to fly at speeds of 550 to 600 kph (340 to 375 mph) and possibly reach targets at ranges up to 2,500 kilometers (1,560 miles).
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“This is a serious new threat,” a Defense Express expert said. “Mobile air defense teams will need stronger weapons. Standard anti-aircraft guns won’t be enough. They’ll need advanced MANPADS [man-portable air defense systems] to bring down drones at this speed.”
While the exact model has not been officially confirmed, experts say the Geran-3 is likely a variation of the Shahed-238 – built using Iranian technology but assembled or redesigned in Russia.
Ukraine first suspected the use of jet-powered drones in January 2024, when early evidence of similar engines and avionics was found. But until now, there wasn’t enough proof.
HUR says this new class of drone presents a greater challenge for Ukraine’s air defenses – faster, harder to detect, and capable of striking with more precision.
Further analysis of the wreckage is ongoing.
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