A video released by the Ukrainian Armed Forces shows a soldier shooting down a Russian-launched Shahed drone in western Ukraine using a U.S.-made Stinger man-portable air-defense system.
The footage, published on Monday, captures the servicemember firing the missile and the drone exploding midair moments later.
Mobile fire group of the 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade, Air Command “West,” in action.
Ukrainian defenders used a Stinger MANPADS to shoot down a russian “Shahed” drone. pic.twitter.com/LWGYhvNw71
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 5, 2025
According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the interception was carried out by Ukraine’s 114th Tactical Aviation Brigade. “Ukrainian defenders used Stinger MANPADS to shoot down a Russian ‘Shahed’ drone,” the ministry wrote on X.
Iran’s Shahed drones, cheap and widely used, are often launched by Russia against civilian and energy targets in Ukraine.
The newest model in Russian service, the Geran‑3, is a domestically produced version of Iran’s jet-powered Shahed‑238. It uses a turbojet, allowing for higher speeds and greater operational altitude, which make it more difficult to detect and intercept.
Meanwhile, the Stinger, manufactured by U.S. defense and aerospace firm Raytheon, can engage aerial targets at ranges of up to 4.8 kilometers.
The interception came a day after Russian forces launched widespread airstrikes across several regions, including Lviv and Zaporizhzhia, killing at least five people and damaging civilian facilities, according to local officials.
