Iran wants to receive improved “Gerani” from Russia – media

Iran this year asked Russia for advanced Geran strike drones, which Tehran wanted to use in a war against the United States and Israel.

This is reported by the Financial Times, citing Western representatives of security services and a source close to the Kremlin.

These are Russian drones based on the Iranian Shahed. Russia began producing the Gerani in 2023, and tested new versions during the war against Ukraine.

According to FT, Russia first used the newest Geran-5 jet in January 2026. The drone can accelerate to 600 km/h, carry up to 90 kg of explosives, and cover a range of up to 1,000 km.

For comparison, the first “Geran-1” carried up to 20 kg of explosives and reached a speed of about 185 km/h.

The new drones are also equipped with thermal imaging cameras, artificial intelligence guidance systems, anti-jamming, and Chinese modems.

Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhiy Beskrestnov said that the operator can find the target through the camera and fix it. After that, the drone attacks the object on its own. According to him, almost all jet drones that Russia launches over Ukraine now have cameras.

Such drones are more difficult to shoot down. According to Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat, Ukraine intercepts about 60% of jet drones. For other types of drones, this figure reaches 90-95%.