Russia's faster jet-powered Geran drones cut Ukraine's interception rates and reaction time

Russia's new jet-powered Geran drones, capable of reaching speeds up to 650 km/h, have sharply reduced Ukraine's interception rates from over 90 percent to roughly 60 percent, leaving defenders with only seconds to react. The faster drones fly at altitudes up to seven kilometers, beyond the reach of some mobile air-defense weapons, and use reinforced composite bodies and anti-jamming systems. Russia launched 2,100 jet-powered drones in the first three weeks of September, killing 288 people, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine is developing drone interceptors as a cost-effective alternative to missiles, while facing a $27 billion defense funding shortfall this year. The new drones, including the S8000 Banderol with a 150-kilogram warhead, are produced at a rate of 3,000 units per month, blurring the line between drones and cruise missiles.