Russia Builds Drone Bases Near NATO, Putting Poland Within Reach

Russia has built a network of new drone launch sites near its borders with Belarus and Ukraine, potentially putting NATO territory within range of Moscow’s newest long-range attack drones. Satellite images and leaked documents reviewed by The Telegraph identified at least 59 new launch rails across 10 Russian military and civilian sites. Some of the bases are already being used to launch attacks against Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The expansion is raising concerns that the infrastructure could eventually be used to threaten NATO countries, including Poland. New drone hubs near NATO The launch sites include repurposed military bases and civilian airports, as well as newly built facilities carved out in remote areas of Russia. Drone intelligence company DroneSec analyzed satellite imagery and found that around 20 of the new launch rails are long enough to accommodate Russia’s latest long-range drones. Kursk Airfield – Khalino. (Credit: Vantor / The Telegraph) The sites are also being expanded. At some locations, additional launch rails are under construction, suggesting Moscow is preparing to launch larger numbers of drones. One base reportedly has enough storage capacity for more than 1,000 drones. Seven of the 10 sites identified by The Telegraph have already been used in recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, according to open-source tracking data. Other Topics of Interest ‘This Evil Must Be Defeated’: Systematic Russian Torture A harrowing account of one civilian’s abduction and four years of torture at the hands of Russian invaders. Asovitsa – Ashelok. (Credit: Vantor / The Telegraph) Faster, longer-range drones Russia has rapidly upgraded its version of the Iranian-designed Shahed drone, developing faster variants that can travel hundreds of miles and carry heavier warheads. The newer Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones are reportedly capable of reaching speeds that make them harder for air defenses to intercept while carrying payloads of up to 90 kilograms, according to leaked Ukrainian government documents. Ukraine’s military intelligence has also warned that Russia is experimenting with arming Geran drones with air-to-air missiles, potentially allowing them to target aircraft defending Ukrainian cities. The drones are being supplied to the new launch hubs by Russian production facilities, including the Alabuga special economic zone, one of Moscow’s main drone manufacturing centers. The expansion does not mean Russia is preparing to attack NATO immediately. But the new infrastructure gives Moscow more options if the Kremlin decides to escalate against the alliance. Some of the sites could put Warsaw within range of Russia’s newest long-range attack drones. European and US intelligence officials have warned that Russia could consider provocations against Poland, including attacks on critical infrastructure or false-flag operations designed to blame Ukraine. NATO has said it is strengthening its ability to detect, operate and counter drones as the technology rapidly changes modern warfare. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.