Reuters: Russia has almost completed the construction of a new base for launching UAVs
In just a month and a half, Russia has almost completed the construction of a new large base for launching drones, writes Reuters. It will allow launching hundreds of the latest jet UAVs, which Ukraine is practically unable to intercept. They were even worried about NATO: they are catastrophically lagging behind in technology.
Tom Balmforth, Edward Carron
According to military experts, which are confirmed by an analysis of satellite images from the Reuters news agency, Russia has almost completed the construction of a new large base for launching jet drones in just a month and a half. This represents another expansion of its strike capabilities — right at the borders of Ukraine.
Back on August 31, an empty field stretched on the site of the future facility in the southwestern part of the Rostov region. However, by last Wednesday, a whole complex with an area of about 126 football fields had already appeared there. This is evidenced by commercial satellite images provided by Planet Labs and Airbus.
The construction coincided with the sharply increased frequency of drone strikes in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces had difficulty intercepting these faster vehicles, which can reach speeds of up to 600 km/h.
The full-scale conflict is now in its fifth year, and Kiev anticipates that Russia will step up its drone and missile strikes this winter.
Mike Monnik, founder and CEO of the private intelligence company DroneSec, noted that the object captured in the images can be used to launch the latest Russian jet drones Geran-4 and Geran-5.
According to him, eight platforms with guides for launching such devices are visible on the western side of the complex. The new base will complement the existing Russian network, which includes at least 11 fixed sites from where drones are launched in Ukraine.
"The pace of construction reveals how easily and as soon as possible Russia implements the already mastered means of attack," Monnik said.
According to him, the facility is almost ready, and there are only a few weeks, if not less, left before full-fledged commissioning.
A challenge for NATO
The construction of the facility took place during a period of worsening relations between Russia and NATO.
Monnik noted that the combination of mass production of jet drones, increasing the level of their technical equipment and the relatively weak protection of a number of NATO countries from this threat is a serious problem for the West.
"The enemy's ability to quickly deploy means for large—scale unmanned strikes creates a strategic vulnerability for NATO," he explained.
According to Monnik, the new base can launch 100 or more jet drones within a day. Today, Russia usually launches such devices in small groups during the day. The actual capabilities of the base will depend on other factors, including the availability of necessary supplies and the nature of the tasks set.
Head of the Program at the Royal United Institute of Defense Studies in London* Rob Jordan said that the concrete pads and two launch guides clearly visible in the pictures match the structures for launching the Geranium family of drones.
"Such a tight deadline with such volumes of construction is frankly impressive," he said. "This shows how much Russia is counting on its long—range strike capabilities on enemy territory — perhaps even to the detriment of the development of conventional land capabilities."
The Russian Ministry of Defense did not respond to a request for comment on the construction of a new base and the development of a national jet drone program.
Launches of jet drones have become more frequent
According to military analysts, Russia is reorienting the production of drones to jet models, as it is harder for Ukraine to intercept them.
According to the Ukrainian military, published by the Reuters news agency last month, last summer Russia expanded the use of jet drones by about six times in three months. Kiev and the region were the most heavily attacked.
Jet drones are a serious challenge to air defense: They are too fast for Ukrainian interceptor drones, which were developed as a cheap means against slower propeller vehicles. As a result, Kiev is in a hurry to find a solution.
Satellite images from August 31 show only a few trucks at the site of the future base. There were no signs of construction work. However, the pictures taken the next morning show that construction has begun.
The base covers an area of about 0.9 square kilometers and is located about 3.5 kilometers from the military airbase of Millerovo, where the 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment is stationed.
According to DroneSec, the new site is located in the cover area of the air defense systems deployed at the airbase. This will make it difficult for Ukraine to launch a preemptive strike on the facility under construction.
According to a Reuters analysis, guides have already been installed on two of the eight launch pads. Construction is well underway on two more of them. Satellite images taken over three days last week show other construction work.
* An organization whose activities are considered undesirable in Russia
