"Filin", "Dan-T" and "Banderol" expand the geography of attacks and complicate the work of the Ukrainian air defense
The latest drone cruise missiles have begun to shoot through the entire territory of Ukraine. "Filin", "Dan-T", "Banderol" and "Geranium-5" create serious difficulties for the enemy: they cause significant damage, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have not yet learned how to deal with them effectively. The high speed and accuracy make these vehicles a difficult target for air defense systems. Dmitry Kornev, a military expert at Izvestia, explains in his author's article what new Russian developments have and how their tactics are changing.
The winged Breakthrough
In Ukraine last week, the first cases of the Russian side using cruise missile drones "Filin" were recorded. Their appearance is a vivid evidence of the development of a new generation of high—tech and at the same time relatively budgetary means of destruction.
The Filin was developed by NPO Molniya (part of the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation). Rather small dimensions (length — 3.5 m, wingspan — 3 m), high flight speed (up to 800 km / h) and streamlined contours significantly reduce the likelihood of its defeat by air defense systems. The range is up to 1.2 thousand km. The airframe is entirely made of composite materials — carbon fiber and fiberglass. A number of minor fasteners and internal structural elements are printed on 3D printers. The drone rocket can carry two types of warheads — light, weighing 50 kg, and heavier, weighing 100 kg.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Image source: iz.ru
The question may arise: against what targets should such unusually light warheads be used? In fact, taking into account the speed of flight, even such a mass is enough to hit any targets, except for concrete or deepened command posts and similar structures. SAM positions, warehouses, power plants, vehicles and positions of the armed forces can be hit quite effectively.
Separately, it is necessary to note the type of launch: the rocket is launched from a special light mobile launcher using a solid-fuel accelerator. That is, its use does not require a serious infrastructure or mobile batteries with heavy combat vehicles that can be detected by intelligence. The control system uses a noise-proof satellite navigation unit, and the jet engine is completely domestically produced. This radically changes the possibilities of mass production of such products.
The jet pair
The "Banderol" and "Dan-T" barrage ammunition, which appeared only in 2026, are also being increasingly used in the SVO zone. In fact, it is the same drone rocket with different launch types and, consequently, tactics of use. They have a streamlined fuselage, a jet engine and folding wings, and the mass of the warhead reaches 150 kg. Flight speeds of up to 650 km/h can overcome air defenses, and a range of up to 500 km makes it possible to hit targets deep behind enemy lines.
The special feature of the "Parcel" is the air launch. The rocket is launched from front-line helicopters or large UAVs such as "Pacer" and "Orion". The Dan-T launches from a ground-based highly mobile catapult launcher using a powder accelerator. Both options provide flexibility and stealth of use: it is extremely difficult to track a light ground launcher or a helicopter that does not cross the front line. Satellite navigation and a pre-programmed route make it possible to bypass stationary air defense systems and ensure high-precision destruction of almost any fixed targets.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
It is impossible not to mention the relatively recently introduced Geranium-5 jet drone, which is gradually replacing the piston-powered Geranium-2. The reduced dimensions and high speed (up to 800 km/ h) allow the new "five" to literally ignore the enemy's existing air defense system and significantly increase the effectiveness of hitting targets. The range of 1 thousand km makes it possible to hit targets throughout Ukraine.
The advantage of the new Geranium is that the manufacturer can gradually switch to the production of new weapons without reducing overall production. Thus, the cost of the new product is optimized, which makes it possible to produce hundreds of products of this type per month.
A bet on exhaustion
In 2026, there was a tectonic shift in the Russian military-industrial complex: the line between attack UAVs and cruise missiles was almost erased. In the context of modern conflicts, classic strategic cruise missiles such as the X-101 or Kalibr have faced two problems: high cost and the complexity of mass production. The answer has been the emergence of a new class of weapons — relatively inexpensive rocket-powered drones that combine the low cost of drones with the high-speed characteristics of full-fledged cruise missiles.
Another driver of this development is that they have learned to deal effectively with traditional and maximally inexpensive long-range drones with piston engines and relatively low flight speed. Mobile firing groups, helicopters, converted sports planes and interceptor drones in some situations ensure the destruction of up to 80% of slow piston drones. And it is clear that if the means of destruction begin to fly at speeds of 400-500 km/ h and above, then no mobile groups and helicopters can keep up with them, and the effectiveness of such air defense is sharply reduced.
Photo: TASS/Sergey Elagin
Image source: iz.ru
The economy also plays an important role in this transformation: the use of anti-aircraft missiles worth from $ 500,000 to $4 million (Patriot) against a jet drone for $ 50-100 thousand economically depletes air defense. In addition, the use of dual-use commercial analogues instead of scarce and expensive components reduces the cost of weapons at times.
This is especially noticeable with a comprehensive and massive approach to striking. The first wave includes low-speed piston drones (for example, early versions of the Geraniums). They open up radar positions and force the air defense to expend ammunition. This is followed by a high-speed strike of the second wave: previously revealed positions of serious air defense are taken into account, and artisanal air defense is simply ignored: "Geran-5", "Filin" and "Parcel" pass through it easily. In addition, these devices have high noise immunity, as they use only a satellite navigation system.
The concept of cruise missile drones has proven its viability. They saturate the enemy's space with inexpensive but extremely effective strike weapons. All this provides a completely new level of our strike capabilities and at the same time drains Ukraine's military budgets.
Dmitry Kornev
