Ukrainian interceptor drones have for the first time shot down several Russian Geran-3 jet-powered drones during the Russian attack on the night of 29-30 November.

Source: Serhii Sternenko, Ukrainian activist and founder of a charitable foundation

Quote: “A bit of historic achievement! Last night, our soldiers used Ukrainian-made Sting interceptor drones to shoot down several jet-powered Shaheds for the first time ever.”

Details: Ukraine’s General Staff specified that during the attack, Russia used 138 jet-powered Geran-3 drones. According to its data, most of them were successfully destroyed by Ukrainian air defence forces.

It is known that the Geran-3 has similar characteristics to the Iranian Shahed-238, including a length of 3.5 metres, a wingspan of 3 metres, and a warhead weighing about 50 kg. According to intelligence, the drone’s maximum flight speed reaches 550-600 km/h, and its range is up to 2,500 km.

However, communications specialist Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov previously said that the real flight speed of these drones is about 300-350 km/h. They reach maximum speed only on certain sections of their route, which makes them vulnerable to interceptors such as the Sting.

The Sting is a Ukrainian interceptor drone developed by the engineering group Wild Hornets specifically to combat Russian attack drones of the Shahed type, making it one of the first specialised Ukrainian anti-drone UAVs.

It is equipped with an AI-based guidance system, capable of speeds of up to 315 km/h and altitudes up to 3 km. The drone is operated via VR goggles, and its cost of approximately US$2,500 is significantly lower than that of anti-aircraft missiles, making it an economically efficient weapon against Shaheds.

Background: In early November, it was reported that Sting interceptor drones had downed more than 1,000 Shaheds and Gerans over the past few months.