Russia builds long-range drone bases within striking distance of NATO — Telegraph

The newspaper analyzed satellite imagery and documents and identified at least 59 new launch rails along Russia’s borders with Ukraine and Belarus. Around 20 are longer than standard launch rails, potentially allowing Russia to launch newer long-range attack drones.

Seven of the 10 bases identified by The Telegraph have reportedly already been used in recent attacks on Kyiv. Some were built at former military facilities and airfields, while others were constructed from scratch in rural areas.

One of the bases has enough storage space for more than 1,000 attack drones, according to the newspaper, while construction of additional launch sites is continuing at several locations.

Russia is also upgrading its Shahed-type drones. Ukrainian documents cited by The Telegraph indicate that newer Geran-4 and Geran-5 models could be equipped with jet engines, carry warheads weighing up to 90 kilograms, and have a range of nearly 1,000 kilometers.

If launched from the new bases, such drones could potentially put Warsaw within range. However, The Telegraph stressed that there is no evidence Russia is preparing an attack on Poland or any other NATO member.

Mike Monnik, CEO and founder of drone security company DroneSec, told The Telegraph that Russia had significantly expanded its drone network both to increase attacks against Ukraine and to keep NATO countries under threat of similar attacks.