Ukrainian Forces Use New STING S Interceptor to Down Russian Geran-5

Ukraine’s 1020th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment has released a video showing the new Ukrainian STING S interceptor drone shooting down a Russian Geran-5 jet-powered drone, as Kyiv develops new air-defense tools to counter increasingly fast Russian attack drones.According to reports, on Monday, Sept. 21, the 1020th Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Regiment published footage showing the “Rubin” crew using the new STING S interceptor, manufactured by Ukrainian company Wild Hornets (Dyki Shershni), to destroy a Russian Geran-5 jet-powered drone.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.Kyiv Post could not independently verify the time or location of the short video showing the interception. The technical specifications of the STING S have not yet been officially disclosed.Earlier versions of the interceptor reportedly had a hit accuracy of 80-90%, an operational range of about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles), with newer variants reaching up to 37 kilometers (23 miles), four rotors, a cruising speed of 140-170 km/h (87-106 mph), and a top speed of up to 280 km/h (174 mph).They were also reportedly capable of climbing above 7,000 meters (23,000 feet).In late August 2025, Defense Express reported that Wild Hornets had updated its “Sting” anti-aircraft drone, with the new version setting a speed record by accelerating to more than 315 km/h (196 mph).“The new parameter is not announced by the company, but obviously it should be significantly different from the previous one,” the report stated. Other Topics of Interest US Army Acquires Long-Range Ukrainian Surveillance Drones in $10.6m Deal The medium-sized reconnaissance drone can travel up to 2,500 km and remain operational amid heavy electronic jamming. The drone airframes are 3D-printed. The units do not require a catapult for launch and can return to their launch point if the target has already been destroyed by another interceptor.Citing the manufacturer, Defender Media reported that Wild Hornets is conducting combat trials of the STING S, which has already been used to destroy approximately 10 Geran-4 jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and several Geran-5s.The STING S is currently undergoing trials with select units. Following the completion of testing, the manufacturer plans to rapidly launch mass production of the interceptor. However, its technical specifications remain undisclosed pending the start of production.Wild Hornets noted that most of the jet-powered Gerans destroyed during combat trials were taken down using its “Hornet Vision Ctrl” remote-control technology.The technology allows operators to connect remotely to ground stations and control interceptor drones from distant positions.“We expect this will allow us to quickly scale the use of the new interceptor after mass production begins and deliveries to combat units start,” the company said.Oboronka previously reported that since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian Defense Forces combat units have used Sting interceptors to destroy more than 11,000 Russian UAVs from the Shahed/Geran and Gerbera families, including various modifications and jet-powered versions.In August, a Sting interceptor also set a record for the highest interception of a Russian UAV at an altitude of 7,472 meters (24,515 feet).What is the Geran-5?The Geran-5 differs significantly from other drones in the series. Instead of the delta-wing design characteristic of the Geran-4, its developers opted for an aerodynamic configuration more closely resembling that of a cruise missile.The aircraft is approximately 6 meters (20 feet) long, with a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters (18 feet), and carries a warhead weighing around 90 kilograms (198 pounds).The drone is powered by a Chinese TELEFLY TF-TJ2000A jet engine and can reportedly reach speeds of 450-600 km/h (280-373 mph). It operates at altitudes of up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) and has a claimed range of approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.