Ukrainian forces pointed out that the Russian military has integrated the "Geranium-2" drone with FPV (First-Person View) systems. "This configuration indicates that the Russian Armed Forces are testing a two-phase strike system, combining long-range autonomous navigation with close-range operator-controlled attacks."
The Geranium-2 has a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, enabling strikes deep behind enemy lines. By now mounting FPV systems on the Geranium-2 drones, the Russians have effectively turned FPVs into long-range precision strike weapons.
Originally designed as a low-cost, autonomous attack drone for deep-strike missions, the Geranium-2 has undergone continuous upgrades during operational use—adding cameras, radio modems, anti-jamming navigation systems, infrared sensors, onboard AI data processing capabilities, and even R-60 air-to-air missiles. As a result, today’s Geranium-2 has evolved from a relatively simple suicide drone into a modular, multi-purpose platform. Using it now as an FPV mother aircraft is indeed innovative. "From an operational standpoint, this gives Russia the capability to conduct two-phase strikes: the Geranium-2 handles long-range penetration and navigation, while the FPV manages final-stage target identification and engagement."
Russia’s approach also significantly complicates Ukrainian air defense operations. Currently, Ukraine’s air defense systems can only counter a few Geranium-2 drones, but in the future they will face multiple threats, as multiple FPVs released by a single Geranium-2 can attack targets from lower altitudes and different directions.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861269364219995/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author personally.