Millerovo drone site: Russia aims for 100 daily launches

Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed that Russia is constructing a new drone launch facility near the Millerovo military airfield in Rostov Oblast.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) released satellite imagery on Telegram showing active construction at the site. The agency stated that the facility is designed for jet-powered attack drones, specifically the Geran-4 and Geran-5 models. DIU estimates the site will support up to 100 daily launches once fully operational. The actual number of sorties will depend on fuel supplies, warhead availability, and the number of trained crews.

Construction began in late August, a period when satellite images showed no visible work at the location. By mid-October, Russian forces had established launch positions and supporting infrastructure. The DIU attributed the rapid buildout to the use of previously tested technical solutions and a focus on simple launch infrastructure. The new site is located 3.5 kilometers from the Millerovo airfield. This proximity allows Russia to use the existing air defense systems that protect the airfield for the new drone base. The facility also gains access to the airfield's current road, communications, and logistics networks.

Russia is concurrently upgrading its drone fleet. The DIU reported that a new version of the Geran-4 now includes an optical terrain-matching system for autonomous navigation. Similar technology is being integrated into the Geran-5. The agency noted that the Geran-4 is now equipped with a domestically produced jet engine and a new warhead designed to target bridges and electricity transmission towers. The Geran-4 has a range of up to 770 kilometers, while the Geran-5 can fly up to 950 kilometers.

This new addition expands Russia's network of attack drone launch sites, which already includes at least 12 permanent facilities. Ukrainian OSINT community Absolutely Reliable Source previously reported that as of October 12, the Millerovo site had eight launcher positions and 32 areas for preparing drones. The DIU believes the new facility is part of preparations to intensify attacks on Ukraine, particularly over the winter months.