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Ukrainian STING Drone Downs Russian Shahed UAV Armed with R-60 Missile, Video
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A Ukrainian STING interceptor drone has successfully downed a Russian Shahed-type drone reportedly modified to carry an R-60 air-to-air missile.
The engagement was carried out by external pilots from the 1020th Anti-Aircraft Missile and Artillery Regiment of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, according to a video released on January 15 by the Ukrainian defense technology group “Wild Hornets.”
The strike from the STING drone appears to have hit the rear section of the missile—specifically the area housing the turbogenerator, gas generator, and main PRD-259 propulsion unit. This impact likely disabled the missile or potentially caused detonation of its solid fuel.
This incident marks the third confirmed case of a Shahed-type UAV equipped with an R-60 missile used by Russian forces. Previous instances were reported on December 1 and January 14, although the earlier case may have involved the drone itself being struck, not the missile.
The R-60 missile, a Soviet-era short-range infrared-guided weapon, is mounted atop the drone’s fuselage. Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russia is using an adapted APU-60-1MD launcher, originally designed for aircraft, to integrate the missile onto the unmanned platform.
The drone also features two video cameras—one mounted at the nose and another behind the launcher—and uses a Chinese-made Xingkay Tech XK-F358 mesh modem to transmit video and control signals.
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In operation, the missile is launched remotely by the UAV operator once an aerial target, such as an aircraft or helicopter, is detected. After launch, the missile’s heat-seeking warhead engages autonomously, with an estimated effective range of 7–8 km.
According to Militarnyi, the UAV retains standard Shahed components, including inertial navigation blocks, satellite systems such as the jam-resistant 12-channel “Kometa” module, and a British-made Raspberry Pi 4 single-board computer for onboard control. The drone also includes a telemetry tracker and dual GSM modems to maintain stable communication during missions.
Earlier, it was reported that troops from the National Guard of Ukraine’s “Khartiia” Brigade killed approximately 70 Russian soldiers north of Kharkiv.
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