The miltech company «Wild Hornets» reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are using STING interceptor drones to destroy Russian drones at altitudes of up to 6.8 km.
The miltech company «Wild Hornets» reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces are using STING interceptor drones to destroy Russian drones at altitudes of up to 6.8 km.
The company claims that in recent months a series of record-breaking intercepts of enemy aerial reconnaissance have been recorded at altitudes previously considered relatively safe for the enemy.
The main high-altitude targets were ZALA Z-20 reconnaissance UAVs, which Russia uses at high altitudes to avoid being hit. The highest interception was recorded by the military of the 105th Prince Volodymyr the Great Border Guard Unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, destroying a drone at an altitude of 6,858 meters.
The results of the interceptions were also recorded by other units:
12th separate special purpose center — 6,630 meters;
104th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade — 6,620 meters;
38th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment named after Lieutenant General Yuri Tyutyunnyk — 6,570 meters;
Joint Assault Brigade of the National Police «Lyut» — 5,984 meters;
27th Separate Regiment of the National Guard named after Prince Svyatoslav Yaroslavovych — 5,750, 5,450 and 5,270 meters.
The estimated cost of one ZALA Z-20 UAV is $200,000. Accordingly, the cost of the Russian aircraft lost in these episodes is estimated at about $1,600,000. In addition to material losses, this makes it difficult for Russia to conduct aerial reconnaissance and adjust artillery fire.
Sting interceptors are also used against strike and reconnaissance UAVs of the Shahed/Geranium and Gerbera types, which operate at extremely low altitudes. According to the results of the first half of 2026 , more than 9,000 drones of all modifications, including jet ones, were eliminated with the help of STING.
