Upgrading Russia’s Aerial Strike Capabilities
Russia is actively upgrading its aerial strike systems, increasing their numbers and refining the underlying technologies. This includes a rising frequency of drone strikes, the introduction of new unmanned aerial vehicle models, and the modernization of missile systems. According to Oleksandr Zaruba, chief research officer at the State Scientific Research Institute for Testing and Certification of Weapons and Military Equipment, the widespread use of cheap modified drones—deployed as platforms for various combat payloads—has become the dominant trend over the past two years.
The number of drone attacks has been climbing month after month. In January 2026, Russian forces launched 1,300 drones against Ukraine; by May of the same year, that figure had risen to 2,048. In May 2026 alone, the adversary used nearly twice as many drones as it did throughout the entire year of 2023. Many of these drones, such as the Geran-2, are based on Iran’s Shahed models. The Geran-2, first deployed in September 2022, has become the most widely used unmanned system, with serial production beginning in July 2023. In addition, Russia is gradually introducing new drone variants—including the Geran-3, Geran-4, and Geran-5—which feature more powerful engines and enhanced technologies.
Reports indicate that roughly 50% of the electronics in the new Geran drones come from China and Taiwan. The V2U kamikaze drones, equipped with artificial intelligence powered by the Nvidia Jetson Orin processor, can autonomously search for and strike targets. Their small size makes them difficult to detect, and most of their components can be legally shipped to Russia, bypassing sanctions.
Modernizing Missile Systems
Russia is also continuing to upgrade its missile systems. The country produces roughly 40 to 50 Kh-101 cruise missiles and about 60 Iskander-M missiles each month. New technical solutions are being integrated into the Iskander production cycle, extending its range to up to 1,000 kilometers. The share of Russian-made components in the Kh-101 and Iskander missiles has risen to 90%, even though 80% to 90% of critical microelectronics still come from countries subject to sanctions.
Among the latest innovations in missile technology are upgraded guided aerial bombs, such as the ShOAB-0.5, which contain metal pellets and have a failure rate of up to 30% in detonations. Colonel Zaruba notes that
“the emergence of the Geran-5 signals a further escalation in the technological confrontation and underscores the need for air defense systems to adapt to high-speed, small-sized targets.”
The modernization of Russia’s aerial strike capabilities reflects an active development of military technologies in response to ongoing conflicts. The increase in drone and missile production, along with the adoption of new technologies, demonstrates Moscow’s readiness to adapt to modern battlefield challenges. This could have significant implications for the regional military situation, particularly for air defense systems that must respond to these emerging threats.
As Russia continues to enhance its drone capabilities, the speed of deployment has become a key factor in its military strategy. Recent reports highlight that drones can be launched against targets in Ukraine within just 5–15 days of rolling off the production line. This rapid turnaround underscores the urgency of Russia's military modernization efforts. To learn more about the implications of this swift production and deployment cycle, read our detailed coverage on Russia's drone launch timeline.