# Russia’s new jet drones evade Ukrainian air defenses more effectively, but experts say program is ‘critically dependent’ on Chinese components

https://mins.news/en/item/58122

- Meduza, 2026-09-14 17:58 UTC
- World
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/09/14/russia-s-new-jet-drones-are-better-at-evading-ukrainian-air-defenses-but-experts-say-moscow-s-drone-program-is-critically-dependent-on-chinese-components

> Russia has rapidly expanded mass production of long-range drones and cruise missiles that are harder for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept. The jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 fly faster and carry larger warheads than earlier models. Ukrainian experts and DroneSec analysts say Chinese jet engines, onboard computers, and other electronics enabled the advance, leaving Russia’s drone program “critically dependent” on Chinese components.

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