# Russian Gerbera drone deployment and recovery

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-gerbera-drone-deployment-and-recovery
> Updated: 2026-09-14T14:15:14.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

The Russian military has been utilizing Gerbera drones for various roles, including decoy, reconnaissance, and limited strike missions. Recent developments indicate the military has modified these fixed-wing drones to perform low-cost electronic intelligence and spectrum analysis. By integrating inexpensive spectrum analyzers, the drones can log radio-frequency activity and map electromagnetic saturation to detect radars and communication systems.

In a recent incident, Polish authorities recovered a Gerbera 2 model drone from the Baltic Sea near the beach in Rusinowo, north of Jarosławiec. Military specialists and pyrotechnicians, including the Military Gendarmerie, successfully neutralized an explosive fragmentation warhead and detonator attached to the device via a controlled detonation on the beach to ensure public safety. Authorities have ruled out any chemical, radiological, or biological threats. The remaining structure has been secured for laboratory analysis and forensic examination by the military prosecutor.

Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested the drone was likely lost during Russian maneuvers, noting it may have flown over Lithuania and the Kaliningrad enclave. This follows reports of a separate Russian drone being shot down by NATO aircraft in Lithuanian airspace. Polish and Lithuanian services are currently working together to investigate the incident, determine the drone’s exact flight path, and identify any intended targets. The incident has heightened security concerns regarding Russian activities near Polish borders and NATO territory.

## Claims

- The drone has been identified by its characteristic shape as a Gerbera model. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The drone contained a fragmentation warhead with a detonator. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The Minister of Defense stated the drone was likely lost by Russia during maneuvers over the Baltic Sea. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Military Police neutralized drone elements that posed a threat to life or health. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The investigation is nearing completion and the wreckage will be used as evidence. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Authorities confirmed there was no chemical, radiological, or biological threat from the device. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Retired reserve major and pilot Michał Fiszer believes the drone originated from Belarus. (single source)
- The drone features a serial number typical of Alabuga plants, starting with a double ЫЫ. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: Russian military drone recovered from Baltic Sea near Poland

Polish military recovered an armed Russian Gerbera 2 drone from the Baltic Sea near Rusinowo. The explosive warhead was neutralized on-site, and investigations into its origin continue.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russian-drone-found-in-rusinowo-neutralized-by-polish-military

### 2026-08-24: Russia upgrades Gerbera drones for electronic intelligence

Russia has upgraded its low-cost Gerbera drones with $100 spectrum analyzers to detect Ukrainian radars and electronic warfare systems through low-cost electronic intelligence gathering.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-upgrades-gerbera-drones-for-electronic-intelligence

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Cite as: Russian Gerbera drone deployment and recovery. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-gerbera-drone-deployment-and-recovery