{"id":33396,"date":"2026-07-02T15:14:32","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T12:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?p=33396"},"modified":"2026-07-02T16:23:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T13:23:19","slug":"jet-powered-shaheds-intercept","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/07\/jet-powered-shaheds-intercept\/","title":{"rendered":"Sting 2.0 and updated Bullet. How interceptor drone manufacturers are preparing to counter jet-powered Shaheds"},"content":{"rendered":"        <div class=\"wp-block-thdfndr-audio is-minimalist\">\n            <audio src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sting-2.0-and-updated-bullet.mp3\" class=\"thdfndr-native-node\" style=\"display: none;\" preload=\"metadata\"><\/audio>\n            <div class=\"thdfndr-audio-wrapper\">\n                \n                <button class=\"audio-play-control\" aria-label=\"Play Audio\">\n                    <span class=\"audio-play-icon-wrapper\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M19.376 12.4161L8.77735 19.4818C8.54759 19.635 8.23715 19.5729 8.08397 19.3432C8.02922 19.261 8 19.1645 8 19.0658V4.93433C8 4.65818 8.22386 4.43433 8.5 4.43433C8.59871 4.43433 8.69522 4.46355 8.77735 4.5183L19.376 11.584C19.6057 11.7372 19.6678 12.0477 19.5146 12.2774C19.478 12.3323 19.4309 12.3795 19.376 12.4161Z\"\/><\/svg>\n                    <\/span>\n                    <span class=\"audio-meta-text\">\n                        <span class=\"audio-label-listen\">Listen<\/span>\n                        <span class=\"audio-duration-node\" data-unit=\"min\">(&#8211;)<\/span>\n                    <\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                \n                <div class=\"audio-volume-container\">\n                    <div class=\"audio-volume-slider-wrapper\">\n                        <input type=\"range\" class=\"audio-volume-slider\" min=\"0\" max=\"1\" step=\"0.05\" value=\"1\" aria-label=\"Volume Level\">\n                    <\/div>\n                    <button class=\"audio-volume-trigger\" aria-label=\"Volume\">\n                        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\"><path d=\"M2 16.0001H5.88889L11.1834 20.3319C11.2727 20.405 11.3846 20.4449 11.5 20.4449C11.7761 20.4449 12 20.2211 12 19.9449V4.05519C12 3.93977 11.9601 3.8279 11.887 3.73857C11.7121 3.52485 11.3971 3.49335 11.1834 3.66821L5.88889 8.00007H2C1.44772 8.00007 1 8.44778 1 9.00007V15.0001C1 15.5524 1.44772 16.0001 2 16.0001ZM23 12C23 15.292 21.5539 18.2463 19.2622 20.2622L17.8445 18.8444C19.7758 17.1937 21 14.7398 21 12C21 9.26016 19.7758 6.80629 17.8445 5.15557L19.2622 3.73779C21.5539 5.75368 23 8.70795 23 12ZM18 12C18 10.0883 17.106 8.38548 15.7133 7.28673L14.2842 8.71584C15.3213 9.43855 16 10.64 16 12C16 13.36 15.3213 14.5614 14.2842 15.2841L15.7133 16.7132C17.106 15.6145 18 13.9116 18 12Z\"\/><\/svg>\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russians plan to increase the share of jet-powered strike drones to 50%, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said in early June 2026. According to monitoring channels, Russia used more jet-powered drones than usual during its large-scale attack on Ukraine on 2 July. One such drone reportedly struck a Nova Poshta terminal in Zaporizhzhia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russia\u2019s shift towards jet-powered deep-strike drones is a response to the success of Ukrainian interceptor drones, which are destroying thousands of enemy UAVs every month. The main difficulty in shooting down jet-powered drones is their speed, which reaches 500-600 km\/h in the enemy&#8217;s newest Gerans. Ukrainian manufacturers are already preparing for this challenge and improving their interceptors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, the modified Bullet from General Cherry will use a kinetic booster. The next generation of interceptor is also being prepared by Wild Hornets \u2013 the developers of the popular Sting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Defender Media spoke with drone manufacturers and military personnel about the challenges posed by jet-powered Shaheds and what they plan to counter them with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The number is growing, but there was previously no mass simultaneous use<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In May 2026, interceptor drone operators destroyed more than 3,500 Russian UAVs of various types. The mass-produced Shahed-136 (Geran-2) regularly becomes a target for Ukrainian pilots \u2013 it is against this backdrop that Russia is modernising its drones to make them a harder target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The number of jet-powered Shaheds launched at Ukraine has increased several times since the beginning of the year, say <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/wild-hornets\/\">Wild Hornets<\/a>. They are now recorded almost daily, but, according to pilots, there was previously no large-scale simultaneous use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The overall increase in numbers is also confirmed by adviser to the Minister of Defence Serhii Beskrestnov. At the same time, the commander of the 1030th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment &#8220;Aquila&#8221;, <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/insights\/maksym-zaichenko\/\">Maksym Zaichenko<\/a>, said in a comment that launches had previously been more experimental in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"699\" src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bpla-geran-3-1024x699-1.webp\" alt=\"&quot;\u0413\u0435\u0440\u0430\u043d\u044c-3&quot; \u0437 \u0442\u0443\u0440\u0431\u043e\u0440\u0435\u0430\u043a\u0442\u0438\u0432\u043d\u0438\u043c \u0434\u0432\u0438\u0433\u0443\u043d\u043e\u043c (\u0424\u043e\u0442\u043e \u0437 \u0440\u043e\u0441\u0456\u0439\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0445 \u043c\u0435\u0434\u0456\u0430)\" class=\"wp-image-33389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bpla-geran-3-1024x699-1.webp 1024w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bpla-geran-3-1024x699-1-300x205.webp 300w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bpla-geran-3-1024x699-1-768x524.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Geran-3 with a turbojet engine (Photo from Russian media)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">General Cherry reports that the Russians have contracted for 25,000 such drones. &#8220;This will make up approximately 30-35% of the total number of Shaheds that Russia attacks with. Possibly more,&#8221; they add.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyi stated on 4 June that the Russians plan to increase the share of jet-powered strike drones to <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/osirskiy\/1620\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">50%.<\/a> Scaling up jet-powered drones is also an attempt by Russia to reduce the cost of its air attack assets, believes Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, an Air Force officer in the reserve. &#8220;It is looking for a cheaper solution that will match the profile of a cruise missile,&#8221; he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Standard Shaheds will nevertheless remain in use, Khrapchynskyi predicts. In particular, they are easier to use for reconnaissance, as they develop lower speeds. Serhii Beskrestnov believes that in future 80-90% of Shaheds will be jet-powered \u2013 they will be used for strikes on the rear, while standard ones will be launched into border areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which modifications of the Shahed are the Russians using<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To date, the piston-engine Shahed has received three turbojet modifications, which have higher speeds and have already attacked Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Geran-3 uses a Chinese Telefly JT80 turbojet engine. Thanks to it, the drone can reach speeds of 300 to 370 km\/h, and its range is up to 1,000 km. The Russians have already used these drones to attack, in particular, Kharkiv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In May 2026, the enemy began combat use of the next version \u2013 Geran-4. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/DIUkraine\/8518\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Defence Intelligence of Ukraine<\/a>, the drone has a new airframe with improved aerodynamic performance, a reinforced structure, and a turbojet engine with increased thrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This version uses the Chinese Telefly LX-WP-160 and Telefly TF-TJ2000A. Thanks to them, it can accelerate to 500 km\/h.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the beginning of 2026, during combined attacks, the Russians for the first time used another modification of the drone \u2013 Geran-5. This drone also has a turbojet engine and can reach speeds of up to 600 km\/h. Its flight range is up to 1,000 km. This drone has components similar to those of the other versions but has a different external appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Besides the Shaheds themselves, the Russians also use the Banderol \u2013 a rocket-drone with a jet engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/geran5-1024x506.avif\" alt=\"&quot;\u043e\u0444\u0456\u0446\u0456\u0439\u043d\u0435&quot; \u0444\u043e\u0442\u043e &quot;\u0433\u0435\u0440\u0430\u043d\u044c-5&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-25554\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:contain\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/geran5-1024x506.avif 1024w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/geran5-300x148.avif 300w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/geran5-768x379.avif 768w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/geran5.avif 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo of Geran-5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How jet-powered drones are currently being countered<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although high speed is often cited as the biggest obstacle to shooting down jet-powered UAVs, even these UAVs are sometimes destroyed by existing interceptor drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zaichenko of the 1030th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment explains that, in some cases, jet-powered Shaheds have to reduce speed because, at high speeds, they consume a lot of fuel. Accordingly, they remain vulnerable to interceptor drones and anti-aircraft missiles operated by the 3rd Army Corps, of which the Aquila regiment is part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer of Sting has video confirmation of the downing of around 50 jet-powered Shaheds: &#8220;According to our estimates, around 70% of confirmed downings of jet-powered Shaheds by multicopter-type interceptors are accounted for by Sting.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Military personnel periodically share videos of downed jet-powered UAVs on social media. Defender Media also received such a recording from the manufacturer of the Litavr interceptor, the company <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/tags\/f-drones\/\">F-Drones<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"478\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 848 \/ 478;\" width=\"848\" controls src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/shahed-.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Downing of a jet-powered Shahed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beskrestnov believes that interceptor drones will remain the main weapon against jet-powered drones. However, the declared speed of the Geran-4 and Geran-5 exceeds the maximum values that existing interceptors can reach. That is why companies have taken up the modernisation of their products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What response are Ukrainian interceptor manufacturers preparing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wild Hornets, which developed one of the most mass-produced interceptor drones, Sting, are already working on its new version. It has been named Sting 2.0. Work on it began at the start of 2026, and this version is currently in combat testing, the manufacturer told Defender Media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Intercepting jet-powered Shaheds requires greater speed, but this affects the drone&#8217;s time in the air. Sting 2.0 will definitely be significantly faster, but it is important, together with pilots, to find a balance between the necessary speed and range,&#8221; Wild Hornets comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new interceptor will also receive an automatic target detection function. According to pilots who use the Sting, detecting a UAV is more difficult than destroying it. Terminal guidance will be added to its functionality later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-left wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/06\/hornet-vision-ctrl-codified\/\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: Wild Hornets\u2019 Hornet Vision Ctrl becomes Ukraine\u2019s first codified remote drone control system<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, the manufacturer regards these technologies as assistants rather than replacements for operators. AI-based solutions are developed by the company&#8217;s own division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sting 2.0 is expected to be around 30% more expensive than the standard version. The modernised Bullet, on which General Cherry is currently working, will likewise carry a higher price. It will nevertheless remain cheaper than the targets it destroys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At present, the drone can reach a speed of 310 km\/h, climb to an altitude of up to 6 km and stay airborne for up to 25 minutes. For its modernisation, the company has announced cooperation with the <a href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/06\/cherry-strix\/\">R&amp;D\/IP centre STRIX.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The updated Bullet will use a kinetic booster to bring the drone to the required altitude and speed. In doing so, the interceptor will retain the full battery charge needed to down a jet-powered UAV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"651\" src=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/k1noeerfx74zwdqqvou3-1024x651.webp\" alt=\"\u041f\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0445\u043e\u043f\u043b\u044e\u0432\u0430\u0447 &quot;\u0413\u0435\u043d\u0435\u0440\u0430\u043b \u0427\u0435\u0440\u0435\u0448\u043d\u044f BULLET&quot;. \u0424\u043e\u0442\u043e \u0432\u0438\u0440\u043e\u0431\u043d\u0438\u043a\u0430\" class=\"wp-image-18072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/k1noeerfx74zwdqqvou3-1024x651.webp 1024w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/k1noeerfx74zwdqqvou3-300x191.webp 300w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/k1noeerfx74zwdqqvou3-768x488.webp 768w, https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/k1noeerfx74zwdqqvou3.webp 1366w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bullet interceptor drone (Photo: General Cherry)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currently, the project is in the fine-tuning and testing stage under various conditions. The manufacturer does not disclose detailed specifications but says the new modification involves increasing speed, adapting control systems, and optimising the design to engage targets at high speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skyfall, which developed the popular P1-Sun, is also increasing the speed of its drone, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/ukrainian-interceptor-drones-evolving-next-generation-getting-faster-russia-shaheds-2026-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Business Insider<\/a> writes. The manufacturer plans to increase it to ~400 km\/h, but the company provides no further details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anatolii Khrapchynskyi adds that, in addition to creating high-speed interceptors, Ukraine needs a high-quality radar system capable of detecting targets at low altitudes. &#8220;Most aerial interceptions actually happen in pursuit mode. Once we build this system, we will be able to get quality coordinates and tracking of targets, handing them over from sector to sector,&#8221; he says. This would allow operators to direct interceptors straight to the enemy UAV&#8217;s meeting point.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Modernised interceptors will receive better specifications but their price will also increase<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":33392,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","_featured_category_order":0,"_article_badge":"featured","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[2363,1632,1648,1709,1105,1646],"class_list":["post-33396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-innovation","tag-f-drones","tag-general-cherry","tag-interceptor-drones","tag-shaheds","tag-skyfall","tag-wild-hornets","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>To down jet-powered Shaheds: Ukraine prepares new interceptors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Defender Media spoke with the manufacturers of the Sting and Bullet and with the military about the jet-powered Shaheds.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/07\/jet-powered-shaheds-intercept\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"To down jet-powered Shaheds: Ukraine prepares new interceptors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Defender Media spoke with the manufacturers of the Sting and Bullet and with the military about the jet-powered Shaheds.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2026\/07\/jet-powered-shaheds-intercept\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Defender Media\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DefenderMediaUA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-02T12:14:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-02T13:23:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/p1158317.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1875\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Oleksii Tucha\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@DefenderMediaUA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@DefenderMediaUA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Oleksii Tucha\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thedefender.media\\\/en\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/jet-powered-shaheds-intercept\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thedefender.media\\\/en\\\/2026\\\/07\\\/jet-powered-shaheds-intercept\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Oleksii Tucha\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thedefender.media\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5f8e368aa7e2405d30098841f40a8e50\"},\"headline\":\"Sting 2.0 and updated Bullet. 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