Ukrainian interceptor drone climbs to 11 km—higher than Everest and as high as airliners (video)

A Ukrainian drone development group has created a high-altitude interceptor capable of reaching a record 11 kilometers, potentially reshaping Ukraine’s defense against Russian surveillance and attack UAVs. This is roughly the same altitude at which commercial airliners cruise, typically flying at 9 to 12 kilometers above sea level.

Drone can reach extreme heights

According to Militarnyi, the Ukrainian combat drone developer group known as Dyki Shershni (“Wild Hornets”) developed a new drone interceptor of the copter type. In footage shared by the developers on social media, the aircraft is shown flying at a significant altitude.

"Guess at what altitude our uncodified drone is flying? 🐝" Wild Hornets wrote in the video caption, which indicates it remains in the testing or pre-approval stage.

Open-source intelligence account Osinttechnical identified the test as taking place over southern Ukraine's Kherson Oblast, next to Krynky village.

The drone’s key feature is its impressive ceiling: up to 11 kilometers, as the developers revealed later. Such a height could give Ukrainian defenders a strategic advantage in countering Russian drones that conduct reconnaissance or strikes from high altitudes.

Design details remain classified

The developers did not reveal exact specifications or appearance of the interceptor. Dyki Shershni later claimed—though it remains unclear whether this was true or part of wartime misdirection aimed at deceiving Russian forces—that the interceptor seen flying at 11 kilometers was not a new development, but rather standard.

“All interceptors from Dyki Shershni fly at such altitudes,” they stated. “This is our regular product, delivered to the military for over a year.”

They emphasized that the push for such high performance came not from the engineers themselves but from the military, who “are always searching for the limits of physical capability,” with the team simply translating that experience into serial production. They added that “our new developments will surprise you even more.”

Strategic importance against Russian UAVs

As Militarnyi notes, the fight against Russian reconnaissance and attack drones remains a top priority for Ukraine. The availability of new tools, particularly high-altitude interceptors like this drone, boosts the chances of protecting both Ukrainian troops and civilians from aerial assaults launched by Russian occupying forces.