Russia arms Geran drones with missiles to hunt Ukrainian helicopter interceptors

The air war over Ukraine is entering a new phase as Russia arms Geran-2 drones with R-60 air-to-air missiles to counter Ukrainian manned interceptors. These modified Shaheds are designed to threaten helicopters and Yak-52 trainers that have destroyed thousands of drones using low-cost, close-range tactics. While the upgrade introduces a new risk, Ukrainian forces have already intercepted armed Gerans before they could fire, and no Ukrainian aircraft losses have been confirmed. The missile integration increases Russian drone costs and complexity, weakening the very mass-production advantage Moscow relies on. At the same time, Ukraine continues expanding interceptor drones like the Sting, which undercut the logic of fitting expensive missiles onto expendable platforms. The result is another adaptation cycle where Ukraine’s flexibility and cost efficiency continue to blunt Russian attempts to regain the initiative in the skies.

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