The Wild Hornets STING is a Ukrainian FPV interceptor drone built to attack Shahed-type one-way attack UAVs and other small aerial targets. Wild Hornets lists it with a 280 km/h maximum speed, a 7,000 m maximum altitude, ELRS radio control, analog or digital video links, and a 500 g payload, while Ukrainian reporting has documented its use against Russian Shahed drones in the Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present.
Ukrainian Wild Hornets STING drones have been fielded against Russian Shahed-type one-way attack UAVs, with May 2025 reporting documenting released footage of a STING intercepting a Shahed at altitude.
STING is a named Ukrainian interceptor in the broader wartime shift from generic FPV drones toward purpose-built counter-UAV aircraft. The public data separates three useful reader-facing layers: its FPV control method, its high-speed pursuit role, and its Shahed-specific battlefield target set.
| Layer | Documented detail | Source-backed takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Flight profile | Wild Hornets lists 280 km/h maximum speed, 30 m/s climb rate, and a 7,000 m maximum altitude. | The design is optimized for short, fast pursuit rather than long-endurance reconnaissance. |
| Control link | The official specification lists ELRS radio control and analog or digital video transmission with daytime and thermal camera options. | Operators fly the interceptor as an FPV system, with camera fit varying by mission and lighting. |
| Target set | Wild Hornets and Ukrainian reporting describe STING as a counter-Shahed interceptor, with released footage of an intercept above the cloud layer. | The sourced conflict role is counter-UAV air defense inside the Russia-Ukraine War 2014-present. |
Kyiv Post reported Wild Hornets' disclosure of the STING FPV interceptor as a Ukrainian drone designed specifically to attack larger Shahed-type one-way attack UAVs.
Sources: Kyiv Post Wild Hornets STING report
UNITED24 Media reported that Wild Hornets released video of a STING drone engaging a Shahed-type UAV at altitude.
Sources: UNITED24 Media STING Shahed intercept report
Wild Hornets published a STING product page with technical data, mission description, performance figures, and control-link details.
Sources: Wild Hornets STING interceptor
Wikimedia Commons hosts CC BY 4.0 STING imagery attributed to the Ukrainian General Staff and sourced from official Ukrainian military channels.
Sources: Commons STING prepared for launch image, Commons STING launch image
