Ukraine's Defence Intelligence reveals details of Russian drone carrying Verba anti-aircraft missiles
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has released an interactive diagram, a breakdown of components and an electronic component database for the Geran-2 UAV (series E) equipped with the Verba man-portable air-defence missile system (MANPADS).
Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine in the Weapons section of the Components in Weapons section of the War&Sanctions portal
Quote from DIU: "This modification is designed to enable the operator to control the UAV manually in real time. To this end, it uses a Chinese-made Honpho TS130C-01 optical camera mounted in the nose fairing, as well as an Xingkay Tech XK-F358 (PRC) mesh modem."
Details: DIU explained that once an airborne target is detected, the operator activates two servo drives in stages. The first starts the chemical battery and the nitrogen cooling cylinder of the MANPADS homing head, while the second opens a specially manufactured protective cover after the homing head has cooled to the required temperature.
DIU added that the missile's trigger is fixed in a permanently pressed position using cable ties, ensuring automatic launch immediately after the homing head locks onto the target.
Quote from DIU: "An important difference between this version and the modification carrying the R-60 missile is the presence of a full-fledged main warhead on the drone itself. The model examined by DIU is equipped with a TBBC-50M thermobaric warhead. Consequently, the UAV remains capable of executing its primary strike mission after launching an anti-aircraft missile. Targeting can also be performed by the operator."
More details: DIU emphasised that the set of blocks and components is standard for such Geran (Shahed) loitering munitions: a flight controller, an inertial navigation system, a 12-channel Kometa unit, a tracker based on a Raspberry microcomputer and 3G/4G modems. Kometa is a specialised device (antenna or unit) designed to protect drones against interference in satellite navigation systems (GPS/GLONASS).
"The inertial navigation system features the first use of the new 6-axis inertial module SCH1633-D0I, manufactured by Murata (Japan)," DIU said. "This module was introduced at the end of 2024 for civilian automotive applications – autonomous driving and modern driver-assistance systems."
The intelligence agency also identified the countries of origin for the remaining electronic components, including the United States, China, Switzerland, Taiwan, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Background:
- In early January 2026, reports emerged that a Shahed drone carrying MANPADS had been detected. In addition to its weapons, the Russian drone was equipped with a camera and a radio modem.
- Soon after, Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian military radio technology expert, said that the MANPADS on the Russian drone had been activated for target acquisition and launch. To engage a target, the UAV operator only needed to wait until a Ukrainian aircraft or helicopter was directly in its line of sight.
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