Russia has built new launch sites for the Geran drones at the Zaimbulova base, located 160 km from the border with Ukraine.

About 160 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, Russia has begun construction of new launch pads for the Geran attack drones at the Zaimbulova military base. Images obtained by the American intelligence firm Vantor show four launch pads, two of which are extended, measuring 85 meters in length. Their construction started at the end of December 2025, and the two shorter pads were completed in March-April 2026.

The Geran drones, including the Geran-3, Geran-4, and the new Geran-5 models, are used by Russia for attacks on Ukrainian cities. Additionally, Russia has intensified nighttime drone attacks, launching nearly 16,000 drones in the first three months of 2026. In response, Ukraine has accelerated the development of interceptor drones, with a production capacity of 2,000 units per day. This situation has drawn the attention of NATO countries and allies in the Middle East, who are seeking effective air defense solutions.