Russia builds jet-powered drone launch base near Ukraine border in six weeks

When Mike Monnik examined satellite imagery from 31 August, the site in Russia’s southwestern Rostov region was an empty field. Six weeks later, he had watched it become a complex covering around 126 soccer fields.

Russia has nearly completed the new drone-launch base near the Ukrainian border, building it in six weeks, satellite imagery indicates. The complex is intended to launch the jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 models, which Russia has begun using actively in strikes on Ukraine in recent months.

Eight platforms for launch rails are visible at the western edge of the site. Two already had rails installed, and the complex also includes storage buildings and support facilities for launching jet-powered attack drones.

The base lies about 3.5 km from Russia’s Millerovo air base, home to the 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Monnik, the founder and chief executive of the private intelligence firm DroneSec, assessed that the facility appeared close to completion. He estimated that it could support launches of about 100 jet-powered drones a day and said it would probably become fully operational within ‘a matter of weeks’.

The shift matters because jet-powered drones have a significant advantage in range and speed over classic drones. They are also harder to shoot down than ordinary drones, since specialised electric-motor interceptors cannot match their speed.

Rob Jordan, programme director at the London-based RUSI think-tank, was consulted on the significance of the new launch infrastructure.

The new facility adds to an existing Russian network of at least 11 fixed sites used for drone attacks on Ukraine.

Ukraine has also targeted that infrastructure. On the night of 30 August, Ukrainian Defence Forces struck storage and launch facilities at the separate Tsymbulova droneport complex in the Oryol region, breaching bunkers and damaging launch and storage facilities.

Construction at Tsymbulova began in August 2024. By August 2026, the site reportedly had 10 launchers for Geran-5 jet-powered drones, 6 for Geran-4 aircraft, 4 for Geran-3 drones and 3 for the standard Geran-2 model.

Russia is also building production capacity. Around 42,000 square metres of underground space has reportedly been constructed for planned Geran drone production lines at the Alabuga complex in Tatarstan.