Key facts
- Russia has constructed 10 new bases with drone launch pads along its borders with Ukraine and Belarus.
- These facilities are designed to launch long-range strike drones capable of flying nearly 1,000 kilometers.
- The positioning of some bases means NATO countries like Poland, Turkey, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Romania could be within range.
- Russia's use of jet-powered drones against Ukraine has increased fivefold in July compared to June.
- Recent attacks on Kyiv have used drones launched from seven of the newly identified bases.
- A Russian drone previously struck a residential building in Romania, and another crossed into Moldova.
Russia has established 10 new bases equipped with launch pads for jet-powered drones along its borders with Ukraine and Belarus, potentially bringing NATO countries within their strike range, according to an investigation by The Telegraph. The report, published August 16, highlights a significant increase in Russia's deployment and use of advanced UAVs against Ukraine.
Utilizing satellite imagery and leaked documents, the investigation identified at least 59 newly constructed launch rails across 10 locations. Some of these sites are positioned such that drones could reach NATO territories including Poland, Turkey, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Romania. One base alone reportedly has the capacity to store over 1,000 long-range drones, with further construction ongoing.
The new facilities are reportedly being built to launch Russia's next-generation strike drones, such as variants designated Geran-4 and Geran-5, which have a range of nearly 1,000 kilometers and can carry a 90-kilogram payload. Data indicates that seven of the 10 identified bases were used in recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, which has faced strained air defenses due to a shortage of interceptor missiles.
This development follows previous instances where Russian drones have entered NATO airspace, including an incident in Romania and another crossing into Moldova. NATO officials have also acknowledged the possibility of a future Russian conventional assault on a member state, with German army chief Christian Freuding suggesting Moscow could be ready by 2029. Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of NATO's Military Committee, stated that Russia would face significant losses if it were to provoke NATO countries.