Russia Unveils Jet-Powered ‘Geran-5’ Missile During Hardware-Free Victory Day

During a scaled-back Victory Day that featured no physical military hardware on Red Square, Russia debuted its new “Geran-5” cruise missile via video broadcast. According to Defense Express, the jet-powered missile is a “low-cost” alternative modeled after the Iranian Karrar, featuring a 90 kg warhead and a range of 1,000 km. Analysts warn that the Geran-5, which utilizes a mix of Chinese and Western components, poses a new threat to Ukrainian air defense due to its 600 km/h speed and its ability to carry R-60 or R-73 air-to-air missiles to intercept defenders. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A new jet-powered Russian cruise missile, the Geran-5. (Photo by Defence Express) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google In a significant departure from tradition, Russia utilized a “virtual” military display during its May 9 Victory Day celebrations to debut the Geran-5, a new jet-powered cruise missile, Defence Express reported. The 2026 parade in Moscow was notably devoid of actual military hardware on Red Square, consisting only of marching units and a column of North Korean troops. Instead, footage of the new missile and its 80-meter launcher was broadcast to the public, reportedly filmed at a launch site in the Orel region. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The Geran-5 represents Russia’s push into the “low-cost cruise missile” category, a class of weaponry intended for mass production and saturation attacks. Driven by a jet engine, the missile can reach speeds of approximately 600 km/h, significantly faster than the propeller-driven Shahed/Geran variants. It carries a 90 kg warhead and has an operational range of 1,000 km. Analysts at Defense Express note that the Geran-5 bears a striking resemblance to the Iranian Karrar missile. Following Iranian design cues, the Geran-5 is being produced in versions armed with R-60 or R-73 air-to-air missiles, allowing it to potentially target Ukrainian interceptors or helicopters during flight. The missile is constructed using highly unified components, including Chinese-made engines and various Western-sourced electronics. Military experts suggest that mass production of the Geran-5 could overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, particularly when used in combination with slower drones and decoy missiles. Other Topics of Interest Cyrillic-Marked Reconnaissance Drone Discovered Near Poland-Russia Border Polish military police are investigating a reconnaissance drone found on Sunday, May 10, near the town of Bartoszyce, approximately 20 km from the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region. Preliminary reports indicate the device is a military surveillance drone equipped with multiple cameras, rather than a combat model. Notably, the drone features Cyrillic lettering, though officials state this could suggest either Russian or Ukrainian origin. The “virtual” unveiling took place as Moscow experienced a rare reprieve from Ukrainian drone strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree establishing a geographic “no-strike zone” over Red Square for the duration of the parade to ensure the safety of a major humanitarian prisoner exchange involving 1,000 detainees from each side. Despite the temporary pause in strikes on the capital, the debut of the Geran-5 underscores Russia’s focus on long-term aerial warfare capabilities. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.