Su-25 attack aircraft will be armed with Geranium missiles.

January 11 2026 7 344 27

The Russians are attempting to integrate variants of the Geran family of drones into the Russian Aerospace Forces' Su-25SM3 attack aircraft, which have become "practically useless in the modern theater of war." Ukrainian news outlets report this, providing some details of the developments.

It is noted that the idea of adapting the two aforementioned weapons systems appears promising, albeit more expensive compared to ground-based launches of attack drones. This refers to the Geran-4 kamikaze jet-powered UAV (similar in appearance to the Shahed-238, but built using a flying wing design) and "Geranium-5" (made according to a normal aerodynamic design).

Moreover, the Geran-4 and Geran-5 will also be armed with the R-73 air-to-air missile (as shown in the diagram). This will allow them to destroy helicopters and aircraft of the Ukrainian air defense system that are sent to intercept Russian drones, clearing a path for themselves before engaging their target. However, the enemy believes that the Geran-4 and Geran-5 air defense drones, without warheads, could also be useful for defending Russian airspace, to meet waves of Ukrainian drones and shoot them down.

Su-25 attack aircraft will be armed with Geranium missiles.

If this idea is implemented, the Russians will be able to extend the lifespan of their Su-25 attack aircraft, which do not employ guided weapons during air defense, while nose-up strikes have become a pointless waste of resources and risk the lives of pilots. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians themselves are modestly silent about the fact that they have long since integrated French AASM 250 "Hammer" precision-guided bombs, also launched from nose-up strikes, into their Su-25M1K aircraft.

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Wandering

0

11 January 2026 21: 29

If the idea is implemented, the Russians will be able to prolong the existence of the Su-25 attack aircraft, which lack guided weapons,

Mr. Tarasenko, you should at least inquire, just to give you an idea, what kind of ammunition the SU-25 can use.
1. The comment was deleted.
2. Kristallovich
  
  +2
  
  12 January 2026 17: 59
  
  The question isn't what kind of munitions the Su-25 can use, but what kind of munitions it uses in the air defense zone. The attack aircraft didn't use any guided weapons.
  1. Wandering
    
    0
    
    12 January 2026 19: 05
    
    The absence of guided weapons and their non-use are two different things, don't you think? Furthermore, if the author decided to present a Ukrainian source as fact, the Geranium isn't a guided weapon, strictly speaking.
    1. Kristallovich
      
      0
      
      12 January 2026 19: 08
      
      Geranium is not a guided weapon, strictly speaking.
      
      Initially yes, now it's manageable. Often.
      1. Wandering
        
        0
        
        12 January 2026 19: 11
        
        So you agree with the first part? The author either knows nothing about the Su-25's armament or deliberately ignored it.
        
        Kristallovich
        
        0
        
        12 January 2026 19: 14
        
        This point in the text has already been corrected.
        
        Wandering
        
        0
        
        12 January 2026 19: 15
        
        Are you the author of the text? It's just curious.
        
        Kristallovich
        
        0
        
        12 January 2026 19: 15
        
        The author of the text is indicated below the material.
        
        Wandering
        
        0
        
        12 January 2026 19: 16
        
        Yes, I saw that. Your nickname doesn't confirm or deny whether you're the author or not. That's why the question... You didn't answer. That's interesting. The question was simple.
Pavel57

+1

12 January 2026 02: 00

It's good that the realization has emerged that using nose-up rockets is pointless. The Su-25 could have been equipped with FABs with a UMNK module long ago.
1. Kristallovich
  
  +2
  
  12 January 2026 18: 00
  
  The UMPK is dropped at supersonic speeds for greater range. The Su-25 is not suitable for such missions.
Sergey Latyshev

+3

12 January 2026 09: 38

Referencing anonymous Ukrainian resources? Especially since the Shturmovik isn't the best carrier in itself.
1. Orange bigg
  
  0
  
  12 January 2026 12: 37
  
  The Banderol cruise missile was rumored to have been launched from the Mi-28NM and the Orion-RU/Inohodets UAV. The Banderol's warhead weighs around 100-150 kg.
Alex Eustace

-1

12 January 2026 13: 26

The author clearly does not know that the Su-25 is capable of using guided missiles Kh-25, Kh-29, S-25L.
1. Kristallovich
  
  +2
  
  12 January 2026 18: 00
  
  Capable, but never used during the SVO.
  1. Wandering
    
    -2
    
    12 January 2026 19: 06
    
    Where did you get the information that it never happened? Specifically?
    1. Kristallovich
      
      +2
      
      12 January 2026 19: 07
      
      Specifically, there's not a single piece of evidence to the contrary. This topic has been raised in expert circles more than once. The Su-25s are used exclusively for pitching.
      1. Wandering
        
        -1
        
        12 January 2026 19: 08
        
        The absence of evidence in open sources is not absolute data, is it?
        
        Kristallovich
        
        +1
        
        12 January 2026 19: 08
        
        For me, the absence of evidence is a fact. Everything else is guesswork.
        
        Wandering
        
        -1
        
        12 January 2026 19: 09
        
        Exactly... What you consider a fact is a guess.
        . and it's ironic
        
        Kristallovich
        
        +1
        
        12 January 2026 19: 12
        
        Look, we've been witnessing the use of a whole range of guided and unguided weapons from various platforms for four years now. And among this vast array of photos and videos, there's not a single piece of evidence of the Su-25 using guided missiles. You can "prove" the opposite all you want, but the facts support my theory.
        
        Wandering
        
        -1
        
        12 January 2026 19: 14
        
        Once again. There are two facts: the Su-25 has air-to-surface guided missiles in its nomenclature, and fact two, you personally have not seen confirmation of their use from this carrier on your... And that's all the facts left.
        
        Kristallovich
        
        +1
        
        12 January 2026 19: 15
        
        fact two, you personally have not seen confirmation of their use from this media on your
        
        No one has seen it. Moreover, the issue has been raised repeatedly on specialized resources directly related to combat aviation. What you're doing is maximalism and formalism.
        
        The comment was deleted.
        
        The comment was deleted.
        
        Wandering
        
        -1
        
        12 January 2026 19: 35
        
        Thanks for the reply. So, the definitive proof of the use or non-use of guided weapons from the SU-25 is the ammunition consumption records of combat units. This information is for official use at the very least. And it's the records that are the fact. The fact that no one observed it isn't a fact. It's just an assumption.
Pavel57

0

13 January 2026 10: 09

Quote: Kristallovich
The UMPK is dropped at supersonic speeds for greater range. The Su-25 is not suitable for such missions.

It doesn't work here, but it does in Ukraine. A discrepancy.
Pavel57

+1

13 January 2026 11: 07

Quote: Wandering
Once again. There are two facts: the Su-25 has air-to-surface guided missiles in its nomenclature, and fact two, you personally have not seen confirmation of their use from this carrier on your... And that's all the facts left.

The standard weapons list includes missiles with a range of 10 km, often requiring a follow-up flight and laser targeting. This is all from past wars.