(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian Defenders Destroy Over 500 Russian Drones in Second Half of 2025
Ukrainian forces have released new footage showcasing the destruction of Russian drones. Units from the Security Service of Ukraine have successfully eliminated 500 Shahed and Gerber drones during the latter part of 2025. This development highlights the ongoing efforts of Ukrainian defenders to counter aerial threats from Russian forces, amid a conflict where such drones have been used extensively against Ukrainian targets.
The footage, shared by Ukrainian defenders, depicts the interception and destruction of Russian drones using Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. This information comes from the FPV drone manufacturer Wild Hornets, as reported by UNN.
A video has emerged online illustrating how Ukrainian UAVs neutralise Russian drones. Units from the SBU Alpha special forces were among the initial groups to achieve successful downings of Shahed drones using their own drones. These units now consistently rank in the top three each month for the number of such targets destroyed, according to the post.
Wild Hornets has noted that the SBU has already accounted for the destruction of 500 Shahed and Gerber drones in the second half of 2025 alone. This figure underscores the effectiveness of Ukrainian countermeasures against Russian drone operations, which have been a persistent challenge in the conflict.
The FPV drone manufacturing company Wild Hornets was established in Ukraine in 2023. It focuses on developing combat drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The primary areas of its work include the production of FPV drones, aerial interceptors for reconnaissance wings and kamikaze drones, as well as control stations and systems for remote mining and bombing.
Among the products offered by the company are the largest Ukrainian 17inch FPV drone named Queen Hornet, highspeed drones called Werewolf and Sting, along with other drone models and equipment. These innovations contribute to Ukraine’s defence capabilities in the face of Russian aggression.
In 2025, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, in collaboration with partners, enhanced training programmes for personnel in the Air Force and unmanned systems units. As a result of these initiatives, more than 5000 UAV operators and nearly 100 cadet pilots received training. This bolstered capacity has likely played a role in the recent successes against Russian drones.
