According to data cited by Defence Express and Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), the widely used Russian Gerany-2 drone — essentially an Iranian Shahed model — has a flight range of between 1,800 and 2,500 kilometres. Based on this range and potential launch sites, a significant portion of Europe could be within reach of the Russian drone force. Even at the minimum range of 1,800 km, Scandinavia, the Baltics, large parts of Germany, as well as Austria and the entirety of Hungary, could become potential targets. With a maximum range of 2,500 km, much of France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Ireland could also be at risk.
Launch sites and logistical capabilities
Defence Express highlights three launch zones that, due to their current or easily adaptable infrastructure, would be particularly suitable for strikes against western targets: the eastern part of Crimea (around Cape Chauda), the Bryansk region (near the Belarusian border), and the area surrounding Saint Petersburg. The report also notes that Russia could quickly deploy new launch sites, especially in Belarus or the Kaliningrad region, significantly bringing drones closer to Western Europe, potentially even putting Madrid within reach.
Tactical considerations and realistic range limits
It is important to emphasise that the stated 1,800–2,500 km ranges are theoretical maximums. In practice, during operations against Ukraine, Russian drones are often guided along complex, indirect routes to avoid air defences, which can reduce their effective range. Still, recent events, including unidentified drones appearing over major Scandinavian airports and Gerbera-type drones partially shot down in Poland, show that European air defences remain vulnerable.
European responses and defence challenges
The European Union has reacted to the growing threat: representatives from member states have discussed establishing a unified “drone wall” along the EU’s eastern border, according to Euronews. The initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation and improve early warning capabilities. However, recent incidents along the eastern border — such as the one in Poland — indicate that modern, better-integrated air surveillance and defence systems are urgently needed across Central and Western Europe as well.
What this means for Hungary
Based on these data and analyses, Hungary’s geographic position means it cannot be considered safe from long-range drone threats, given the currently known launch sites and the potential reach of the Gerany-2. While the actual level of risk depends on the location of launch sites, drone flight paths, and the effectiveness of European air defences, the strategic conclusion is clear: the risks affecting Hungary are real, making the development of defensive capabilities and international cooperation an urgent priority.
Conclusion
Current information suggests that most of Europe, even under the most optimistic assumptions, falls within the range of Gerany-2/Shahed-type long-range drones. If Russia deploys its launch capabilities further west, Lisbon could remain the only EU capital temporarily outside their potential reach. The dynamic nature of this threat, coupled with the rapidly deployable launch infrastructure, means strengthening defences cannot be delayed: requiring effective measures at both national and alliance levels.
Putin does not bomb his allies so I doubt Hungary would be hit. European concern is that Hungary will not end up participating in a European drone wall and Hungary would end up acting as a hole in EU security allowing drones to pass through Hungary to hit targets further west. Hungary would thus help facilitate Russia’s attacks on Europe. You would hope that this would not be the case but the track record of Fidesz in undermining European security would suggest that this a real possibility. They can always claim that they don’t want to involve themselves in someone else’s war, etc and therefore will do nothing to stop drrones.
European security. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the same Europe that was oh-so perturbed about the inviolability of its borders that it allowed several million third-world terrorists and leeches to invade it in a matter of a few short years!
But yeah, it’s big boogeyman Russia we’re supposed to worry about!
Angela Merkel made a decision to allow what were Syrian refugees to come into Germany in 2015/16 . That refugee crisis was in large part manufactured by guess who? – Vladimir Putin’s Russia which supported dictator Bashar al-Assad and was bombing and gassing Syrian civilians. This is the same Putin who has been trying to send refugees across the borders of Poland, Finland and the Baltics. Finland completely closed its’ border with Russia since Dec 2023 as a result. Putin has sent several million Ukrainian refugees into Europe and if he succeeds in taking all of Ukraine it is estimated that up to half of the population will leave sending as many as 20 million Ukrainians into the EU including Hungary. If half that number end up coming the cost conservatively estimated would be 100 billion euros per year which is all money that can’t be used for other purposes and that means no money for Hungary.