The drone shot down during the night between Monday and Tuesday in Lithuania by two Italian Eurofighter F-2000 fighters operating under the NATO umbrella was of a type used by Russia and was very likely destined for Ukraine. This was explained by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, according to Reuters online. “It was a Gerbera drone,” Gitanas Nauseda told journalists, referring to a long-range aerial drone used by Russia: aircraft of this type are often used as decoys, but can also carry explosives. “Most likely it was not a deliberate action against Lithuania. The drone was probably headed towards Ukraine, but was hit by Ukrainian electronic warfare and deviated from its course,” he added. The Lithuanian army is analyzing the drone’s electronics to determine its target, Nauseda said.
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Multi-purpose drone developed in Russia
The Gerbera is a multi-purpose drone developed in Russia (mainly produced at the Yelabuga / Alabuga plant) and used in the context of the conflict in Ukraine starting from mid-2024. It is commonly described as an economical, lightweight, and simplified version compared to the better-known Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones (renamed Geran-2 in Russia). Although the exact number of Gerberas used against Ukraine is difficult to define, their introduction has significantly increased the volume of drones launched by Moscow.
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Low-cost aircraft, economical for mass production
It is a low-cost aircraft (estimated around $10,000 per unit), designed to be extremely economical for mass production. The airframe is made with an internal plywood frame covered by polystyrene panels (expanded foam). This composition greatly reduces the overall weight and radar signature. Regarding size, it has a wingspan of about 2.5 meters and a length of about 2 meters.
