Sting (drone)

The Sting is a Ukrainian drone designed to hunt and destroy other drones, specifically the Shahed models Russia uses to attack cities. Developed by the Wild Hornets group, it was built to handle swarms that can overwhelm traditional air defenses.

The project faced months of testing, design changes, and funding problems—it nearly shut down in early 2025. It gained traction in April 2025 after a viral video showed a Sting taking down a Shahed, which led to widespread military interest and adoption. Volunteers and charitable donations largely funded the effort, with key backing from activist Serhii Sternenko.

Design

The drone has a 3D-printed, aerodynamic, bullet-shaped body with four rotors. It can fly at 213 mph and cruise at 10,000 feet. It uses Kurbas thermal imaging cameras from Odd Systems and has an engagement range of up to 25 kilometers.

Operators can control it from as far as 2,000 kilometers away using the Hornet Vision Control system. Each Sting costs about $2,100, far less than a Shahed’s estimated $35,000. This cost advantage allows large-scale purchases through volunteer efforts and state funding, preserving expensive surface-to-air missiles for bigger threats and making sustained point-defense affordable in high-risk areas.

Operational history

Ukrainian MP Maryan Zablotskyy helped secure a grant for the Sting’s development. In May 2025, Wild Hornets released thermal footage of a Sting downing a Shahed, calling it a breakthrough in frontline drone defense. On August 1, 2025, the thermal camera supplier claimed the Sting had intercepted “dozens of Iranian-Russian drones.” In October 2025, a Ukrainian military delegation demonstrated the Sting in Denmark against a QinetiQ Banshee target drone.

By October 2025, Sting interceptors had destroyed over 1,000 enemy UAVs. In December 2025, it became the first interceptor to down the Russian Geran-3, a jet-powered Shahed variant. By April 2026, the Sting accounted for 70% of intercepted jet-powered Shaheds. As of February 2026, it had destroyed over 3,900 Shahed and Geran drones.

That number climbed to 7,000 in May 2026 and 9,000 in June 2026. Monthly production exceeded 10,000 units in March 2026. In April 2026, the manufacturer claimed the Sting was Ukraine’s top anti-Shahed interceptor for seven consecutive months.