Satellite imagery reveals that Russia has nearly completed constructing a 0.9-square-kilometer jet-powered drone launch base in Rostov Oblast in just six weeks. Located near Millerovo air base, the complex features eight launch pads and 32 preparation zones capable of firing faster Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones reaching speeds of 600 km/h. Intelligence experts warn that the rapid buildout highlights strategic vulnerabilities for NATO counter-drone defenses amid escalating regional hybrid tensions.
Construction of the Rostov drone base
- ▪The new Russian drone facility in Rostov Oblast features eight launch pads and 32 preparation zones located approximately 3.5 kilometers from Millerovo air base
- ▪Satellite imagery from October 12-14, 2026 showed physical launch rails erected on two pads at the Rostov Oblast drone facility and guidance tracks under construction at two others
- ▪RUSI program director Rob Jordan stated that concrete pads and takeoff rails shown at the new drone facility near Millerovo air base in Rostov Oblast are consistent with launch tracks for Russian Geran drones
- ▪Satellite imagery shows Russia has nearly completed building a 0.9-square-kilometer base for launching jet-powered attack drones in Rostov Oblast in six weeks
Capabilities and readiness of the Rostov facility
- ▪DroneSec founder Mike Monnik estimated that Russia's new drone facility near Millerovo air base in Rostov Oblast could become fully operational within a matter of weeks
- ▪Private intelligence firm DroneSec noted that placing the new Rostov drone facility 3.5 kilometers from Millerovo air base puts it within Millerovo air base's air defence protection
- ▪DroneSec CEO Mike Monnik estimated that Russia's new drone base near Millerovo air base in Rostov Oblast has the potential to fire 100 or more jet-powered drones within 24 hours
- ▪Russia's new drone facility near Millerovo air base in Rostov Oblast is capable of launching Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered drones, adding to a network of at least 11 fixed launch sites
Russian jet drone usage and intercept difficulties
- ▪Ukrainian military data showed Russia increased its use of jet-powered attack drones roughly six-fold over three months in summer 2026
- ▪Russian jet-powered attack drones can travel at speeds up to 600 kilometers per hour
- ▪Ukrainian air defenses struggle to intercept Russian jet drones because the weapons move too fast for interceptors designed to stop piston-powered predecessors
Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
- ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in exchange for American Patriot air-defence interceptors
- ▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian strikes have taken between 40 and 50 percent of Russia's oil capacity offline
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