Russia Expands Drone Launch Hub as Geran-5 Drones Dominate Attacks on Kyiv

Russia has continued expanding the Tsymbulova drone base in the Oryol region, adding new launch infrastructure, shelters, and storage facilities over the past four weeks, an OSINT channel Strategic Aviation reported on September 29.

Satellite imagery shows a new area southeast of the existing launch positions with eight dome-shaped shelters for jet-powered drones and an additional launcher. Strategic Aviation reported that paved areas have also been prepared for eight more shelters and two additional launchers.

Russia’s Geran drones are domestically produced derivatives of Iran’s Shahed attack drones, while newer variants increasingly use jet propulsion.

The Geran-3 was developed from the jet-powered Shahed-238, while the newer Geran-5 is linked to Iran’s Karrar design and can reach far higher speeds than propeller-driven Shaheds. UNITED24 Media recently detailed how these jet-powered variants are becoming harder for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept.

Six garages for strike drones that were still under construction in early September have now been completed. Another 14 garages have appeared along the access road, the OSINT channel noted.

The facility’s protective infrastructure has also been reinforced. Strategic Aviation reported that several above-ground shelters were converted into underground structures, while additional defensive measures are being installed around launch areas.

Construction has also expanded near existing Geran-5 launchers, with space prepared for six additional launch positions. Towers under construction nearby could be used for anti-drone netting or communications, the channel said.

Strategic Aviation assessed that the expansion is already affecting the composition of Russian drone attacks on Kyiv. The channel estimated that Geran-5 drones now account for roughly 75% of the drones launched toward the Ukrainian capital, compared with about 10% a month earlier.

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Further construction is visible in the northeastern section of the site, where heavy equipment is operating on previously unused land. The channel assessed that new storage facilities may be under construction there.

The expansion has also reduced the number of drones left outdoors. Strategic Aviation reported that nearly 100 drones were visible outdoors at the end of summer, while the latest imagery shows fewer than a dozen.

Recently, Russian drones struck civilian sites in Ukraine’s Odesa region, including an animal shelter in Velykodolynske, where three dogs and 10 cats were killed. The attack also damaged residential buildings, warehouses, a gymnasium, a dormitory, and vehicles.

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