Photo: At least 10 new bases identified (based on open-source data)
Drones have significantly changed modern warfare and become one of the key factors on the battlefield.
Russia has built a network of secret bases from which it could launch powerful drones over long distances deep into NATO territory. An investigation by The Telegraph has identified 10 Russian bases where launch sites for the latest long-range attack drones have recently been constructed.
Some of these bases are already being used to strike Ukraine, while their proximity to the border facilitates large-scale air attacks. At the same time, they pose a long-term threat to NATO allies, as some European countries could potentially fall within range of Russia’s newest strike drones.
Analysts warn that in a future war, Russia could use the rapid development of this technology to launch attacks against Europe. According to their estimates, the location of some of the bases would allow Russia’s most powerful drones to reach Warsaw.
The Telegraph, using leaked documents and satellite imagery, identified at least 59 new launch rails — mechanical guides used to launch fixed-wing drones without a conventional runway — along Russia’s borders with Belarus and Ukraine.
The newspaper reports that some drone launch centers were converted from military facilities and civilian airports, while additional launch sites were built in rural areas of Russia.
Experts from DroneSec analyzed satellite imagery and determined that around 20 newly installed launch rails are longer than standard versions. This could indicate that they are capable of launching Russia’s newest long-range strike drones.
Russia is also rapidly improving its version of the Iranian Shahed drone. According to the newspaper, Moscow has already deployed new jet-powered models capable of reaching speeds that make interception more difficult and striking targets at distances of nearly 1,000 km. Using such drones from the newly identified bases could potentially put Warsaw within range.
At the same time, The Telegraph emphasizes that there is currently no evidence that Russia is planning such an attack. NATO leaders, however, are preparing for the possibility of a future conflict.
According to Ukrainian government documents, the newer Geran-4 and Geran-5 models can reach speeds that help them evade air-defense systems while carrying payloads of up to 90 kg. Ukrainian military intelligence also warns that Russia is equipping some Geran drones with air-to-air missiles, potentially allowing them to attack aircraft defending Kyiv.
Satellite imagery shows that the number of advanced drones stored at Russian bases has increased significantly. One facility reportedly has enough storage space for more than 1,000 drones at once. New launch rails are also still being constructed at several key sites, indicating that Moscow intends to further expand its drone-launch capabilities.
According to The Telegraph, the Russian bases receive drones from several defense-industry facilities across the country, including the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, where around 6,000 drones are reportedly produced annually.
Mike Monnik, CEO and founder of DroneSec, whose company analyzed the satellite imagery, said the Kremlin had significantly expanded its drone network.
“This expansion of launch sites demonstrates how Russia has increased its ability to launch larger numbers of drones while using technology to make these types of drones more difficult to intercept.”
NATO officials emphasize that drones have fundamentally changed modern warfare and become one of the key factors on the battlefield. The Alliance says it is rapidly expanding its capabilities to produce, deploy and counter drones on a large scale.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia used five times more jet-powered drones in July than in June, demonstrating how quickly this capability is expanding.
