Ukrainian intelligence: Russia’s new jet-powered Geran-4 attack drone runs on Chinese turbojets
Russia's Geran-4 jet attack drone runs on Chinese turbojets, Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) revealed. The agency published a 3D model and full component breakdown on its War&Sanctions portal. Russia began combat use of the Geran-4 against Ukrainian targets in May 2026.
Built to outrun Ukraine's drone interceptors
Russia introduced the Geran-4 as a direct counter to Ukrainian drone interceptors. Earlier Geran-3 drones reused the gasoline-powered Geran-2 airframe — not strong enough for high-speed flight or high-G maneuvers. Russia's Geran designation refers to their localization of the Shahed-series Iranian drones.
Two Chinese turbojet engines, one already discontinued
HUR identified two Chinese Telefly turbojet models in the Geran-4. The Telefly LX-WP-160 (160 kgf / 1,600 N thrust) is already out of production. The Telefly TF-TJ2000A (200 kgf / 1,960 N thrust) was previously seen on Russia's Geran-5.
China has supplied Russia's drone production with engines disguised as industrial refrigeration units to bypass Western sanctions.
Kyiv moves to scale low-cost interceptor missiles to counter cost imbalance in defending against Russian Shahed strikes
What it carries and how far
The Geran-4 carries either a 50 kg fragmentation-high-explosive (OFZBCh-50) or thermobaric (TBBCh-50M) warhead, or an enlarged 90 kg TBBCh-90 thermobaric version. It has a range of up to 450 km and can fly up to 5,000 m. Dimensions stay standard: 3.5 m long, 3 m wingspan.
The onboard control system and electronics match those of earlier drones produced at Russia's Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan.
Russia completed preparations for mass production by January 2026. Test launches were conducted from the "Primorsk" drone airport in Russia's Oryol Oblast and the former Donetsk Airport in occupied Ukraine.
