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Ukrainian VR-Piloted Sting Drone Takes Out Shahed UAV in First-Ever Recorded Strike, Video
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukraine has publicly unveiled the use of its new Sting interceptor drone against Russian-Iranian Shahed-type drones, marking the first known footage of the platform in action. The Ukrainian drone unit “Wild Hornets” released video footage of the successful intercept on May 19.
According to the video, the Sting drone—equipped with a thermal imaging camera—was able to pursue and engage a Shahed drone at high altitude, above the cloud layer. The footage clearly shows the interceptor striking the Shahed from below, disabling the drone mid-flight.
Experts have confirmed that the downed drone was indeed a genuine Shahed, and not a decoy such as the Russian “Geran” drone mock-ups.
This was determined based on visible design elements unique to Shahed drones, including distinctive wing tips and dual pitot tubes.
First announced in October 2024, the Sting interceptor drone was designed as a low-cost alternative to expensive surface-to-air missiles, which are often used to down incoming Shaheds.
Ukrainian officials say the Sting is significantly more affordable—"dozens of times cheaper” than a Shahed drone—offering a more sustainable means of defending Ukrainian skies.
The drone itself features a quadcopter design with a large central dome that houses its warhead and onboard camera. It is piloted manually from the ground using VR goggles, allowing operators to maneuver with high precision. Future versions of the drone are expected to include AI-based target acquisition and guidance.
Sting drones are capable of flying at speeds over 160 km/h (100 mph) and reaching altitudes of up to 3,000 meters (approximately 10,000 feet).
Ukraine’s 412th “Nemesis” Regiment includes the newly formed unmanned aerial systems (UAS) division known as Darknode, which has already claimed over 100 successful intercepts of enemy Shahed and Geran drones using similar technologies.
The Darknode unit was formally established in early April and is currently accepting both formed military teams and individual volunteers for mobilization under contract.
Earlier, Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian “Forpost” reconnaissance and strike drone — a rare, Israeli-designed UAV worth an estimated $7 million — at an altitude of 4 kilometers (13,000 feet).
-924c3c302c27387e19f6c44aaeb98745.png "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
