The key facts

  • The base in the Rostov region was built in six weeks: on August 31 the site was an empty field, and now it is a complex the size of 126 football pitches.
  • According to DroneSec founder Mike Monnik, the base is designed for the newest jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones; eight launchers are located in the western part of the complex.
  • The expert estimates the base's capacity at about 100 jet-powered drones per day and suggests it could be fully operational 'within a matter of weeks'.

Construction of a base near the Ukrainian border

Russia has almost completed construction of a new large base for launching jet-powered drones near the borders with Ukraine in just six weeks, Reuters reports, citing an analysis of satellite images. The base is being built in the Rostov region. According to the agency, on August 31 the site was an empty field, and now it hosts a huge complex with an area equal to 126 football pitches.

Expert assessments

Mike Monnik, founder of the private intelligence company DroneSec, believes the images show that the base is intended for launching the newest jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones. Eight launchers are located in the western part of the complex. According to the expert, the base could provide launches of about 100 jet-powered drones per day and could be fully operational 'within a matter of weeks'.

Context of jet-powered drone use

According to Reuters, over the past few months Russia has begun actively using jet-powered drones for strikes against Ukraine. Their difference from conventional drones is a significantly greater flight range and speed; they are harder to shoot down than conventional drones.