The key facts
- Geran UAVs are changing trajectories: approaching from western directions instead of eastern ones
- Volhynia and Lviv region are hit first of all
- Popov admits that Gerans may also be used for reconnaissance
Change of drone routes
Russian troops have begun to apply a new strategy for using Geran drones in operations on the territory of Ukraine. Retired major general of aviation, honored military pilot Vladimir Popov spoke about this in an interview with mk.ru. According to him, the military changed the flight trajectories of the drones: instead of the usual routes from east to west, the UAVs perform complex maneuvers — they pass along the borders into the western regions of Ukraine, turn around and strike from directions where the enemy's defense system is less prepared.
Strikes on western regions
According to Popov, Volhynia and Lviv region are hit first of all, after which the raids gradually shift toward the central parts of the country. The expert suggests that the launches are carried out from areas of the Kherson or Zaporizhzhia regions: the route passes through the central regions, after which the drones approach targets from the southwestern or western sides.
Disorientation of air defense and reconnaissance
Popov noted that such actions disorient the Ukrainian air defense forces. “The effect is very serious. Because the enemy expects Gerans from the east, northeast, southeast, but they come in from a completely different side. And the enemy's air defense system that remains turns out to be useless, because everything is set up for other sectors of observation and defense,” Gazeta.Ru quotes the expert. In addition, the military specialist admitted that, in addition to strike missions, Gerans may be used for reconnaissance of the terrain. Earlier, Popov explained why Russian Gerans need “whiskers”.
