Western sanctions on Russia, introduced after its invasion of Ukraine, have targeted many sectors of its economy, including its defense industry.
While Russia has weathered these restrictions for some time, new reports suggest that cracks are beginning to appear. From advanced fighter jets to tanks, and now drones, the pressure is mounting.
Recent attention has turned to Russia’s Geran-2 drones, which are increasingly experiencing technical failures, according to WP.
The drones, a domestic copy of Iran’s Shahed-136, have been used extensively in attacks on Ukraine. But their reliability is in question.
Relied on Parts From South Korea
According to analysts from Ukraine and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the failures seem to stem from changes in key components.
Initially, Russia relied on parts sourced from South Korea to regulate the drone's movement in flight. After sanctions cut off this supply, the Geran-2 manufacturer switched to Chinese-made substitutes.
The change has caused issues. The new components often fail during sharp turns, leaving the drones uncontrollable. Some crash mid-flight, while others veer off course and become easy targets for Ukrainian defenses.
The Geran-2 is not a fully Russian design but rather a reproduction of Iran’s Shahed-136. The drone is approximately 3.5 meters long with a wingspan of 2.5 meters.
It weighs 200 kilograms, with 40 kilograms dedicated to its warhead. Designed as a kamikaze drone, it is intended to dive into its target.
Unlike the original Iranian model, which uses light paint for concealment, Russian variants feature dark coatings to avoid detection during nighttime missions.
Despite the technical challenges, Russia has tried to maintain pressure on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that nearly 2,000 Geran-2 drones were launched in October alone.
Russia’s strategy appears to rely on overwhelming Ukraine's defenses through sheer numbers.
