Residents of Ukraine’s Sumy region, near the border with Russia, recently found a new Russian long-range drone, identified as the “Gerbera.”
The discovery, made in an open field, prompted immediate action from local authorities, with bomb disposal units swiftly dispatched to the scene. Upon investigation, the drone was determined to pose no immediate threat, though its presence has raised concerns about the evolving use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by Russian forces.
“The drone itself was not armed, but it’s important to remember that enemy UAVs are often equipped with explosive devices,” said Ihor Cherniak, head of the Sumy region’s bomb disposal unit. “If you find a suspicious object, especially in open areas, do not attempt to move or examine it yourself.”
The Gerbera drone complements the widely deployed Iranian-designed Shahed long-range attack drones. The Gerbera, like its predecessor, features a large delta wing, but with cranked leading edges. Unlike the Shahed, which has horizontal stabilizers on the wingtips, the Gerbera uses a more conventional single vertical tailfin, located just ahead of a single pusher propeller powered by an internal combustion engine.
Preliminary Ukrainian assessments suggest that the Gerbera has a wingspan of around 2 meters (6.5 feet), slightly smaller than the Geran-2, which spans about 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). Its versatility could allow it to serve in multiple roles, including strike, reconnaissance, or electronic warfare, depending on its payload.
The discovery of the Gerbera drone adds to growing evidence of Russia’s efforts to diversify its drone capabilities in the conflict. While the Shahed drones have been used extensively for one-way attacks, the Gerbera’s design suggests a broader range of applications, including potential jamming or reconnaissance missions.
Ukraine’s military intelligence is currently analyzing the drone to determine its full capabilities.