Shahed Drone Hunters: Ukraine Produces Large Batch of Interceptors

The Ukrainian group Wild Hornets has produced a significant batch of interceptor drones designed to take down Shahed-type strike drones.

The announcement came from volunteer Serhii Sternenko, who, in partnership with Monobank, launched a fundraising campaign to support the production of these anti-aircraft drones.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the campaign raised an impressive UAH 85 million, which will fund the purchase of 395 interceptor drones to combat Shahed drones, along with 1,500 FPV anti-aircraft drones to target enemy reconnaissance UAVs.

It is reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have already begun receiving the first batches of the ordered drones.

In May, a video surfaced showing the use of an interceptor drone, published by the Ukrainian group Wild Hornets. It became the first publicly known footage of an interceptor drone engaging a Shahed UAV.

According to the released video, the interceptor drone — equipped with a thermal imaging camera — was able to catch up to the Shahed drone at a high altitude, above the clouds. It then struck the drone from below, hitting its underside.

At that time, the Sting interceptor drone was used — a model first reported in development back in October 2024. It remains unclear whether the interceptor drones currently being produced are a direct result of that project. However, if they are, then judging by the published photos, they have undergone significant development and have seen substantial changes in design.