Ukrainian drones intercepted several Russian jet-propelled Shahed drones in the early hours of 30 November 2025. This is reportedly the first case of Ukrainian interceptor drones shooting down such drones in flight.
Ukrainian Sting drone downs jet-powered Geran-3 midair
In the early hours of 30 November 2025, Ukraine’s military successfully used domestic interceptor drones to destroy several of Russia’s newly introduced jet-propelled Geran-3 drones, better known as the Iranian Shahed-238. Volunteer Serhii Sternenko published a photo showing the interception of one of the drones and described it as “a bit of a historic achievement,” stating that Ukrainian-made Sting drones shot down several jet-propelled Shaheds.
The General Staff reported that Russia launched 138 Geran-3 drones in total, most of which were downed by Ukraine’s air defenses.
Ukraine recovers Russia’s undamaged Geran-3 jet kamikaze drone carrying camera and live-link equipment (VIDEO)
Militarnyi noted that debris from Geran-3 drones was first found publicly in early June 2025. Subsequent Russian footage showed tests of drones closely resembling the Shahed-238, but with minor differences. One downed drone recovered in late June bore the serial number U-36, suggesting limited production scale despite increasing use.
Ukraine’s intelligence directorate had warned in February 2025 that Russia was setting up its own production of Geran-3 drones modeled on the Shahed-238. The system uses compact dual-circuit turbojet engines — Tolou-10 or Tolou-13 — allowing speeds up to 550–600 km/h and a claimed range of 2,500 kilometers.
The Shahed-238 is 3.5 meters long, has a wingspan of 3 meters, a height of 0.5 meters, and carries a 50-kilogram warhead.
Vulnerabilities exposed in real combat
Despite being considered too fast for mobile fire groups or drones with electric motors, the Geran-3 proved susceptible under real conditions, Militarnyi says. Ukrainian troops recorded a cruise speed of 300–350 km/h for these drones — far lower than the theoretical maximum — due to limited fuel capacity. They only reached top speed in short bursts, typically near areas where Russian reconnaissance identified Ukrainian air defenses.
This operational pattern made them vulnerable to interception by drones like the Sting, especially outside their sprint zones.
