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Satellite imagery analyzed by Reuters shows Russia built a large jet-drone launch base in about six weeks near Millerovo in the Rostov region. Experts say the site, roughly 126 soccer pitches in size, is designed to fire Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered drones at Ukraine and could be operational within weeks.
Russia has nearly finished building a major new base for launching jet-powered attack drones in just six weeks, according to defence experts and a Reuters analysis of commercial satellite imagery published on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The site, in the southwestern Rostov region near Millerovo, grew from an empty field on August 31 into a sprawling facility the size of around 126 soccer pitches by Wednesday, imagery provided by Planet Labs and Airbus showed.
The find lands at a dangerous moment. Russia has rapidly shifted to jet-powered drones that Ukraine struggles to stop, Kyiv expects heavier air attacks this winter, and the new base sits inside NATO's field of view, sharpening concerns across the alliance about Moscow's growing deep-strike reach.
Russia Builds Drone Base in Six Weeks: What the Imagery Reveals
The timeline is the story. Overhead imagery taken on August 31 pictured a few vehicles in a field but no sign of construction. Imagery taken the following morning showed that work had already begun. Over the course of three days this week, a Reuters analysis watched construction continue from space, until the site covered about 0.9 square kilometres.
The layout leaves little doubt about its purpose, experts say. Eight platforms for launch rails run along the facility's western edge. Two already had rails fitted, and rails were being constructed on two more pads when the latest images were taken. Mike Monnik, founder and CEO of the private intelligence company DroneSec, said the site would be capable of launching the Geran-4 and Geran-5, Russia's newest types of jet-powered drone.
"The speed of construction ... demonstrates the ease with which Russia can bring now-established offensive capabilities to bear rapidly," Monnik said. He added that the site looked very close to completion and would be "probably a matter of weeks before (it is) fully operational, if not earlier."
Rob Jordan, programme director at the London-based RUSI think-tank, said the concrete pads and two possible takeoff rails shown in the imagery looked consistent with launch tracks for Russian Geran drones. "This level of construction in this short a time is impressive," he said. "This shows the relative faith Russia is putting in its deep strike capability – possibly to the detriment of its conventional land forces."
Where the New Base Sits
Location is part of the threat. The facility lies about 3.5 km from Russia's Millerovo air base, home to the 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. According to DroneSec, the new launch site likely sits within the air defence "bubble" provided by systems at the airbase, which would make Ukrainian attempts to target the facility more difficult.
A Ukrainian open-source intelligence channel, "Absolutely Reliable Source," had already flagged the site on October 13, publishing its own satellite comparison and saying the first section was nearing completion. The channel reported eight prepared positions for launchers and 32 areas for preparing drones before launch, and said imagery showed drones being unloaded in one zone. Euromaidan Press notes those images have not been independently verified — but Reuters' own analysis this week reached the same conclusion about the site's scale and purpose.
The new site adds to an existing Russian network of at least 11 fixed launch sites used for drone attacks on Ukraine, according to DroneSec. The channel says the build was rushed to scale up attacks after Russia's heavy September strikes on Kyiv.
Why Jet Drones Change the Equation
The base is built for a weapon Ukraine is still learning to counter. The Geran-4 and Geran-5 are jet-powered drones that can travel at speeds of up to 600 km per hour — far faster than the older piston-powered models. Military analysts say Russia has shifted its production to these jet variants precisely because Ukraine has struggled against them.
Russia increased its use of jet-powered drones roughly six-fold over three months this summer, according to Ukrainian military data reported by Reuters last month. Kyiv and the surrounding region were hit most heavily. The jet drones pose a problem because they are too fast for the interceptor drones Ukraine designed to cheaply intercept their slower predecessors. Kyiv is now scrambling to devise a solution.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on September 26 that Ukraine downs only 55% of jet-powered Shaheds — the class that includes the Geran-5 — compared with more than 90% of the older propeller-driven ones. Ukraine's military intelligence, the HUR, told Militarnyi in August that Russian industry makes about 3,000 Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones a month. A new launch site is how Russia plans to fire more of them.
A Challenge for NATO
The base's construction coincides with sharply worsening relations between Russia and NATO. European governments accuse Moscow of stepping up a campaign of sabotage, drone incursions and cyberattacks against them, while Russia warned last month it could use nuclear weapons if NATO attempted to cut off its Kaliningrad exclave.
Monnik said the combination of industrial production of jet-powered drones, their increasing sophistication and the relative lack of comprehensive counter-drone defences in many NATO countries was a challenge for the West. "This ability to rapidly field an ability to launch large-scale attacks using UAS (unmanned aerial systems) poses a strategic vulnerability for NATO countries," he said.
According to DroneSec, the Millerovo facility may have the potential to fire 100 jet-powered drones or more in 24 hours, although Russia normally fires them in small numbers throughout the day, and the actual rate would depend on factors like available supplies and objectives. Russia's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the facility and on its jet-powered drone programme more broadly.
Why It Matters
This is not just another construction site. A base built from scratch in six weeks signals that Russia can now stand up industrial-scale launch infrastructure almost as fast as it can produce the drones to fly from it. For Ukraine, that means the prospect of more frequent and harder-to-intercept strikes, especially as winter sets in and Kyiv braces for escalated jet-drone and missile attacks. For NATO, it is a demonstration — carried out in plain view of commercial satellites — of how quickly Moscow can mass new offensive capability close to the alliance's borders.
What Happens Next
Watch the skies over Rostov. If drones begin launching from Millerovo in the coming weeks, Ukraine's interception problem will get harder at the worst possible time, with the full-scale war now well into its fifth year and winter approaching. Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russia's other jet-drone base at Tsymbulova in Oryol Oblast — in September, on October 1, and again on October 10 — but the new site's position inside Millerovo's air-defence umbrella makes a repeat far more difficult. NATO planners, meanwhile, face a widening gap between Russia's drone-production pace and the West's counter-drone defences.
Key Takeaways
- Satellite imagery shows Russia built a jet-drone launch base in about six weeks near Millerovo, Rostov region, growing from an empty field on August 31 to a 126-soccer-pitch complex by October 14.
- Experts say the site is designed for Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered drones that fly up to 600 km per hour, and could be operational within weeks.
- The base sits about 3.5 km from Millerovo air base, likely inside its air-defence bubble, making Ukrainian strikes against it difficult.
- DroneSec estimates it could fire 100 or more jet drones in 24 hours; Russia already has at least 11 other fixed launch sites.
- Russia's use of jet-powered drones rose roughly six-fold over three months this summer; Ukraine intercepts only about 55% of them, versus over 90% of slower models.
- Analysts warn the speed of the build exposes a strategic vulnerability for NATO countries lacking comprehensive counter-drone defences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Russia's new drone base?
The site is in the southwestern Rostov region of Russia, near the town of Millerovo, about 3.5 kilometres from Millerovo air base, home to the 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. DroneSec says it likely sits within the airbase's air-defence "bubble," which would complicate Ukrainian attempts to hit it.
How fast was the drone base built?
About six weeks. Satellite imagery from August 31 showed an empty field with no construction; work began the following morning. By mid-October it had become a facility of about 0.9 square kilometres — roughly 126 soccer pitches — with eight launch platforms and visible rails being fitted.
What drones will launch from the new base?
Experts say the site is designed for the Geran-4 and Geran-5, Russia's newest jet-powered attack drones, capable of speeds up to 600 km per hour. DroneSec estimates the base could potentially fire 100 or more jet-powered drones in a 24-hour period, depending on supplies and objectives.
Why are jet-powered drones harder to stop?
They are too fast for the interceptor drones Ukraine developed to cheaply knock down slower, piston-powered models. President Zelenskyy said Ukraine downs only about 55% of jet-powered Shaheds, compared with more than 90% of the older propeller-driven drones, forcing Kyiv to scramble for a new solution.
How many drone launch sites does Russia have?
According to DroneSec, the Millerovo site adds to an existing Russian network of at least 11 fixed launch sites used for drone attacks on Ukraine. Russia also operates a similar jet-drone base at Tsymbulova in Oryol Oblast, which Ukraine has struck repeatedly, including in September and on October 1 and October 10.
How fast is Russia producing these drones?
Ukraine's military intelligence, the HUR, told Militarnyi in August that Russian industry makes about 3,000 Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones a month. Russia increased its use of jet-powered drones roughly six-fold over three months this summer, with Kyiv and the surrounding region hit most heavily.
Why is NATO worried about this base?
Analysts say the rapid build shows how quickly Russia can field large-scale drone attacks, and many NATO countries lack comprehensive counter-drone defences. The build coincides with worsening Russia-NATO tensions, including European accusations of Russian sabotage, drone incursions and cyberattacks across the continent.
By GlobalDeskNews Staff | 15 October 2026
Sources
- Reuters — "Russia builds major new drone attack base in six weeks, satellite images show" (October 15, 2026) — reuters.com
- Euromaidan Press — "Ukrainian OSINT channel: Russia turned a bare field into a Geran-5 launch site in a month" (October 14, 2026) — euromaidanpress.com
- Commercial satellite imagery providers Planet Labs and Airbus, via Reuters' analysis