To Bypass Ukrainian Jamming, Russia Adapts Cruise Missile Technology for Low-Cost Drones
Russia is equipping its attack drones with visual navigation systems inspired by cruise missile technology, seeking to bypass Ukrainian jamming of satellite signals and communications while taking advantage of the drones’ lower cost compared with sophisticated missiles.
According to a report published by Business Insider, Ukrainian defence intelligence has identified a new system called Susanin. The small cylindrical module, fitted with a camera lens, allows Russian long-range drones to determine their route without relying on satellite signals or radio communications.
The system stores images of Ukrainian terrain onboard, then uses a downward-facing camera to compare live views with the saved imagery. This comparison allows the drone to establish its position and navigate towards its target independently.
Serhii Beskrestnov, known as “Serhii Flash”, a drone analyst associated with the Ukrainian military, said Google Earth imagery could be sufficient to provide basic guidance.
He expects Russia to continue developing the system and expand its use over the next year, noting that similar technologies are already deployed in Molniya, V2U and Lancet drones.
According to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence Directorate, Moscow is working to equip jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones with the technology.
These aircraft can reach speeds of 280 miles per hour or more, making them harder for conventional Ukrainian interceptor drones to engage.
The technology resembles navigation systems used in cruise missiles, including the US Tomahawk, which uses digital scene matching to compare ground features with stored images. Advanced Russian missiles, such as the Kh-101, also use a version of this technology called Otblesk-U.
The main difference, however, is cost. A Kh-101 missile is estimated to cost approximately $2.4 million, compared with 50,000–70,000 for a Geran-4 and around 100,000–115,000 for a Geran-5.
Russia manufactures these drones in large numbers, launching more than 3,500 attack drones against Ukraine in September alone.
Technical Limitations and Limited Interception Options
Kyrylo Liukov, head of unmanned technologies at Ukraine’s Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation, said wider use of Russian visual navigation systems was likely. He pointed to their increasing deployment in medium- and long-range attacks, including on Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones.
He stressed, however, that the systems have limitations. They are suited to preprogrammed attacks on fixed targets but do not necessarily allow drones to track moving armoured vehicles or mobile missile launchers.
This capability aligns with Russia’s strategy of launching large numbers of Geran drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences and deplete their resources while striking predetermined locations.
Ukraine’s options against these aircraft remain limited. Its military is still in the early stages of deploying advanced interceptor drones capable of engaging Russian jet-powered drones. Using surface-to-air missiles, meanwhile, requires scarce and expensive ammunition usually reserved for cruise and ballistic missile threats.
One possible solution is to obstruct the view of the camera used by the Susanin system. Visual navigation’s effectiveness, however, is affected by weather conditions.
Liukov explained that accurate route recognition requires an appropriate flight altitude, clear imagery and favourable weather. Clouds, rain and fog can reduce the system’s efficiency.
Visual navigation therefore gives Russia another means of reducing the impact of Ukrainian jamming. Its ability to alter how attacks unfold will nevertheless depend on operating conditions, target characteristics and Kyiv’s capacity to develop suitable interception methods.
