Fox News Hails US ‘AI Superweapons’ in Iran – Using Footage of a Ukrainian Drone
Fox News used footage of Ukraine’s STING interceptor drone while praising US AI “superweapons” allegedly used in Iran, prompting a response from the drone’s Ukrainian developers.
Kyiv Post
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The American broadcaster Fox News used footage of a Ukrainian interceptor drone while discussing alleged US “AI-powered superweapons” used in strikes on targets in Iran.
During the broadcast, host Jesse Watters and military commentator Brett Velicovich spoke about what they described as the superiority of American artificial intelligence technologies.
We appreciate that international media such as FOX News highlight the effective work of interceptor drones. The footage shown in this segment features STING — a Ukrainian interceptor drone developed by engineers at Wild Hornets and used by… pic.twitter.com/cOEsIeYnJm
However, the video shown during the segment featured footage of the STING interceptor drone, a Ukrainian system developed by the volunteer engineering group Wild Hornets and used by Ukraine’s air defense units to destroy Shahed-type drones.
Wild Hornets quickly responded on X, pointing out that the footage shown by Fox News did not depict a US weapon.
“Small clarification. We appreciate that international media such as FOX News highlight the effective work of interceptor drones. The footage shown in this segment features STING – a Ukrainian interceptor drone developed by engineers at Wild Hornets,” the statement read.
Wild Hornets said the result was the outcome of a long and difficult effort by its engineers working together with Ukrainian soldiers and added that it would appreciate proper credit for those achievements.
“We also deeply appreciate all the support we receive and are very grateful for the trust people place in our work,” the developers added.
After drones hit Nakhchivan, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev promised a response. But inside Azerbaijan, many are divided over how far the country should go.
The STING interceptor drone was first publicly reported in October 2024 as a Ukrainian-developed system designed to counter Russian-Iranian Shahed attack drones.
The project aims to provide a cheaper alternative to air-defense missiles, which are often used to intercept Shaheds despite their high cost.
The interceptor is operated using a first-person view (FPV) system similar to many battlefield drones. It features a quadcopter design with a prominent dome mounted above the central body that houses the camera and warhead.
Operators pilot the drone from the ground using VR goggles that allow them to see the flight path in real time. The system is also designed to incorporate artificial intelligence-assisted targeting to help track enemy drones.
According to its developers, the STING interceptor can reach speeds of more than 160 km/h (100 mph) and climb to an altitude of about 3 kilometers (9,842 feet).
A representative of Wild Hornets previously said the drone’s average cost is dozens of times lower than that of a Shahed drone, allowing Ukrainian forces to conserve scarce and expensive air-defense missiles.
“We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against ‘Shaheds’ in the Middle East region,” Zelensky said on X, adding that he had instructed officials to provide the necessary means and send Ukrainian specialists who could help ensure security.
The announcement came as US President Donald Trump urged Zelensky to move faster in US-led peace negotiations with Russia. In an interview with Politico, Trump said Zelensky “has to get on the ball” and reach a deal.
Despite the comments, Zelensky said communication between Kyiv and Washington remains active, with Ukrainian officials speaking with the US administration “practically on a daily basis.”
The Ukrainian president added that Kyiv remains ready to continue diplomatic efforts to end the war once partners are prepared to resume negotiations.
Julia Struck is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.
