Ukrainian team defuses Russian drone threat in Kyiv region
In Boryspil, within the Kyiv region, Ukrainian EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialists successfully disarmed a Russian Geran-2 drone equipped with explosives. Due to its combat payload, the unmanned aerial vehicle posed a public safety threat, necessitating quick and efficient action from the Ukrainians.
A mobile unit of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service identified the Russian Geran-2 drone in Boryspil, secured it, transported it to a designated location, and then neutralized it, reports the military-focused service Defence Express. Drones of this type pose a serious threat to civilian and military security, particularly as Russians are deploying many of them towards Ukraine. Experts have determined that in November, approximately 80 Geran-2 kamikaze drones flew over Ukraine each day.
Ukrainian EOD specialists have a lot of work
Geran-2 unmanned aerial vehicles, which are actually Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones, pose a significant challenge to Ukrainian air defence. They are designed as cost-effective and effective tools for attacking ground targets. Their primary mission is to destroy key infrastructure or military targets through direct impact with a substantial explosive force.
Shahed-136s are characterized by simple construction and relatively low production costs. Their unit price is estimated at about $20,000 (CAD 29,000). These devices, built in a delta-wing configuration, are approximately 3.4 metres long, have a wingspan of about 2.4 metres, and their warhead can weigh up to 40 kilograms. The drones are powered by a Limbach L550E engine and can reach a maximum speed of about 185 km/h.
The Geran-2 guidance system is relatively simple, based on the assumption that they are single-use machines. They utilize GPS navigation and autopilot to maintain a designated course. These drones are also equipped with technologies that allow them to evade detection by air defence systems. Their relatively quiet engine and small size make early detection and neutralization challenging. Despite these advantages, Shahed-136s have certain drawbacks, such as limited attack precision under GPS jamming conditions and susceptibility to interception by modern air defence systems.
