Ukraine’s STING Interceptor Drone: The $2,500 Shahed Killer

Описание: This video breaks down Ukraine’s STING interceptor drone, a low-cost, high-speed solution designed to counter Iran-supplied Shahed loitering munitions over Ukraine. Developed by the Ukrainian Wild Hornets group, the STING drone is an indigenous, largely 3D-printed interceptor capable of reaching speeds of roughly 213 mph with an operational ceiling near 10,000 feet.

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Costing an estimated $2,000 per unit, the STING offers a dramatically cheaper alternative to traditional air defense systems when facing Shahed drones that can cost $35,000 to $50,000 each. Powered by four electric rotors and equipped with the Kurbas thermal imaging camera from Odd Systems, the STING is optimized for nighttime interception and high-altitude engagements.

Footage first released in May 2025 showed early interceptions, with grainy but revealing visuals highlighting both speed and altitude. By August, developers of the thermal imaging system claimed dozens of confirmed Shahed kills. Just five months after the first footage emerged, Wild Hornets reported 1,000 intercepted targets, underscoring the rapid industrial scaling of Ukraine’s drone war.

By December 2025, claims rose to 3,000 Shahed drones destroyed, illustrating the growing intensity of the aerial battle and the effectiveness of mass-produced interceptor drones. With an estimated accuracy rate of around 70 percent, multiple STING drones are often launched per target, mirroring layered air defense concepts used in systems like Patriot, though applied to an entirely different threat environment.

This episode examines how Ukraine’s STING interceptor drone reflects the evolution of modern warfare, where inexpensive, rapidly produced drones are reshaping air defense. As Western militaries and defense planners study the conflict, systems like the STING may offer insight into scalable, cost-effective counters to long-range drone threats.

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