A private Ukrainian air defense unit shot down dozens of enemy targets using drones
The Ukrainian MilTech company “Wild Hornets” has demonstrated the capabilities of its “small-scale air defense” unit, known as “Night Hornets.” Test pilots have already destroyed 36 enemy aerial targets, primarily using remotely controlled interceptor drones.
The crews include both veterans with real combat experience and young pilots who are honing their skills. The unit’s operations are fully funded by “Wild Hornets.”
The “Night Hornets” have been working with the Defense Forces since 2024. Together with the Ukrainian military, they have been directly involved in the development and testing of prototypes of the high-speed Sting interceptor drones under combat conditions. This makes the unit the first private “small-scale air defense” crew in Ukraine.
Since the summer of 2025, instructors from the “Night Hornets” have been training Ukrainian military personnel to operate the Sting interceptors effectively; during this time, they have trained over 1,000 pilots.
Currently, the “Night Hornets” combine training with the defense of Ukrainian airspace. During the day, instructors train Ukrainian military personnel, and at night, they assist in carrying out combat missions in direct cooperation with units of the Defense Forces.
They are able to combine training with combat operations thanks to the Hornet Vision Ctrl remote drone control technology developed by the “Wild Hornets.”
“Now we can both train people and work effectively in the area entrusted to us. Thanks to Hornet Vision Ctrl, in a short period of time we have already confirmed the downing of 21 targets and struck 9–10 targets. The total number of targets shot down by our crew is 36,” says the commander of the “Night Hornets” unit, whose call sign is Philip.
He notes that the remote control system allows the pilot to simultaneously engage 5–10 positions near the front line instead of just one.
“Thanks to Hornet Vision Ctrl technology, we’re able to operate from hundreds of kilometers away while based in the Kyiv region. Our positions are located in eastern Ukraine, where spotters are waiting for us. When a target appears, they quickly prepare the drone, and we can carry out the mission remotely,” explains the leader of the “Night Hornets.”
He adds that combining training with combat operations allows them to maintain the instructors’ qualifications at the highest level.
“This has a positive impact on our instructors because each of them has up-to-date combat experience. We have to confront the enemy and save lives, and we have the best tool for the job,” Philip concluded.
About "Wild Hornets"
"Wild Hornets" is a Ukrainian MilTech company engaged in the development and production of unmanned systems.
"Wild Hornets" was at the forefront of using FPV drones for combat purposes and developed the most effective high-speed interceptor drone, the Sting, to destroy enemy "Shahed"-type kamikaze drones. Its introduction effectively created the interceptor drone niche in Ukraine.
The company combines its leadership in this category with an ecosystem of combat drones and innovative communication technologies that allow pilots to control drones remotely.
Currently, drones manufactured by “Wild Hornets” are used by more than 100 units of the Armed Forces: the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the Special Operations Forces, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, the Air Force, and the State Border Guard Service.
You can watch a video interview with “Night Hornets” pilots by following the link.
More than fifty companies in Ukraine have joined the private air defense program.
The government has expanded opportunities to involve civilians in the fight against drones. This includes the so-called private air defense program for businesses, the work of the Territorial Defense Forces, and the recruitment of young people into UAV interceptor units based on a territorial principle.
In May, 25 companies joined the experimental private air defense project in Ukraine; some of their units have already shot down more than 10 Russian Shahed and Zala drones.
