The Eurasian Times: "Geranium-3" - The Nightmare of Odessa

Western experts attempt to uncover the secrets of Russia's new drone

Author: Konstantin Orshansky

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) praised Russia's brilliant attack on Odessa using the "Geranium-3" suicide drones, calling it an example of a new tactic. Compared to previous drone models used in attacks on Odessa, the new "Geranium" drones fly at higher altitudes, allowing them to evade Ukraine's mobile air defense forces. These drones are significantly more expensive than the "Geranium-2", so they will be used selectively rather than in large numbers.

The Russian military sent multiple drones from different directions toward a target in Odessa. They waited in tactical areas near the target, while other drones conducted additional reconnaissance to adjust the target. Then, the drones attacked the target simultaneously from different directions, paralyzing Ukraine's medium-to-short-range air defense systems.

The ISW wrote that there were two factors contributing to the success of Russia's attack. First was the use of the new drones, and second was the refinement of the swarm attack tactics.

German media reported in late March and early April that before launching synchronized attacks, Russian forces would fire long-range drones at high altitudes several kilometers away from major Ukrainian cities and other important targets.

The ISW previously reported that Russians began producing and using "Geranium-1" and "Geranium-2" drones in the summer of 2023, while the "Geranium-3" first appeared on the battlefield in early 2025.

The co-published Eurasian Times reported that Ukrainians considered the "Geranium-3" to be similar to Iran's "Witness-238" drone, equipped with "Talos-10" and "Talos-13A" turbojet engines (each of these export-version drones costs $1.4 million).

However, the media emphasized that this drone outperforms its Iranian counterpart in terms of capability. This drone can reach speeds of up to 500 to 600 kilometers per hour. The "Geranium-3" may be equipped with a new compact turbojet engine or a slightly improved version of a previous engine. Its 2,500-kilometer range is sufficient to cover all of Ukraine.

The standard model uses inertial navigation. However, there are also versions equipped with infrared and optical targeting systems for attacking targets with thermal contrast, such as military equipment. There are also speculations about a version equipped with a passive radar homing system designed to attack air defense systems.

As early as October 2024, a video appeared on social media, allegedly filmed by a "Geranium-2" drone equipped with an optical thermal imaging seeker head. The Eurasian Times stated that the "Geranium-3" is likely also equipped with such a seeker head.

The higher cruise speed of the "Geranium-3" makes it impossible to intercept with only machine guns mounted on mobile air defense teams. However, the thermal signature of the "Geranium-3" jet engine makes it easier to detect by air defense missile systems.

This new drone was designed entirely to minimize radar detectability. The strike power of the "Geranium-3" rivals that of cruise missiles.

However, cruise missiles are launched by strategic bombers and become immediately detectable once fired, whereas drones are launched from ground catapults, allowing them to avoid premature detection. Ukraine claimed last year that they had encountered the "Geranium-3" drones multiple times. On one occasion, Ukraine's air defense radar reportedly detected the drone flying at speeds exceeding 515 kilometers per hour, nearly three times faster than the piston-engine-equipped "Geranium-2" drones.

Due to its unique sound, the "Geranium-2" was called the "light motorcycle," and its sound could be heard from afar, with Ukrainian patrol teams often utilizing this fact. The Eurasian Times wrote that since then, the "Geranium-3" may have undergone further improvements.

The sound signal characteristics of this drone have been reduced, increasing the difficulty of detecting it. The use of carbon fiber composite materials reduces the probability of it being detected by radar and lightens the body weight.

This allows the drone to carry heavier and more destructive warheads weighing between 60 and 70 kilograms. In turn, this enables the new drone to be used to attack the most critical infrastructure targets.

The attack on Odessa proved this point, where the "Geranium-3" destroyed the school airport and nearby industrial area military warehouses. One of the targets was the "Storm" research institute responsible for developing components for cruise missiles and drones.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496810190868677174/

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