Ukraine shoots down Russian Geran-5 jet drones near Kyiv for second day
Ukraine's air defense shot down Russian Geran-5 jet-powered strike drones in the Kyiv area for the second consecutive day on September 3, according to presidential advisor Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov. The attacks come as Russian drone strikes on Kyiv entered their eighth straight day, injuring six people including a 12-year-old girl.
Key points
- Ukrainian air defense downed Russian Geran-5 jet-powered strike drones near Kyiv for a second consecutive day on September 3.
- Presidential advisor Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov said the drones were launched from about 400 km away.
- Air raid alerts were declared six times in Kyiv on September 3; drone debris fell in three districts.
- Six people were injured in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old girl.
- Attacks on Kyiv using jet-powered Shahed-type drones have continued for eight consecutive days.
- HUR says the Geran-5 carries a warhead of about 90 kg, has a stated range of about 1,000 km, and reaches 500–600 km/h.
- HUR identified significant design and technological similarity between the Geran-5 and Iran's Karrar drone.
- Beskrestnov warned that jet interceptors are unlikely to be very effective against the weapon.
Why it matters
The Geran-5 sits between conventional kamikaze drones and cruise missiles, combining a roughly 90 kg warhead with speeds of 500–600 km/h, making it far harder for mobile fire groups to shoot down than propeller-driven Shaheds. Its second consecutive day of use over the capital points to a sustained and escalating Russian air campaign against Kyiv, while its design resemblance to Iran's Karrar raises fresh questions about the supply chains behind the weapon.
What happened
On September 3, Ukraine's air defense shot down Russian Geran-5 jet-powered strike drones in the Kyiv area for the second straight day, according to Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov, an advisor to the president on technological defense. Beskrestnov said the drones were being launched from about 400 km away, but warned that reactive interceptors are unlikely to be very effective against them and that Russia appears set to keep using the weapon. Air raid alerts were declared six times in Kyiv, drone debris fell in three districts, and six people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. Warehouses in Kyiv Oblast were also reported damaged. According to Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), the Geran-5 carries an estimated 90 kg warhead, has a declared range of around 1,000 km, measures about 6 meters long with a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters, and shows significant design and technological similarity to Iran's Karrar drone. Beskrestnov published a photo of one of the rockets as part of his report.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ on the platform Beskrestnov used to share the information: one indicates Telegram, while another, citing Ukrinform, indicates Facebook.
Background
The Geran-5 is a Russian jet-powered strike drone first used against Ukraine in early 2026. According to Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), it is roughly 6 meters long with a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters, carries an estimated 90 kg warhead, and has a declared strike range of about 1,000 km. It is launched from around 400 km and reaches speeds of 500–600 km/h, positioning it between conventional kamikaze drones and cruise missiles. HUR specialists have identified significant design and technological similarity with the Iranian Karrar drone. As of September 3, Russian attacks on Kyiv using jet-powered Shahed-type drones had been ongoing for eight consecutive days.