In a significant advancement for Ukraine’s domestic defense industry, Kyiv-based company WIY DRONES has pulled back the curtain on two new specialized interceptor drones: STRILA and BUREWIY. Presented at the recent Brave1 DemoDay, these high-performance UAVs are engineered to tackle two of the most persistent aerial threats on the battlefield: Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones and Russian reconnaissance UAVs. This development marks a pivotal step in Ukraine’s strategy to build a technologically superior, asymmetric defense against continued aggression.
STRILA: The Shahed Hunter Built for Speed
Designed with a single, critical mission in mind—neutralizing Shahed-type loitering munitions—STRILA (Ukrainian for “Arrow”) is a masterclass in aerodynamic efficiency. Its key advantage is raw speed. The drone can achieve speeds exceeding 300 km/h, a crucial capability for chasing down and intercepting the notoriously difficult-to-stop attack drones.
The operational concept is a sophisticated blend of automation and human skill. Using specialized software already integrated within the Ukrainian Defense Forces, STRILA is autonomously guided to the general vicinity of an incoming threat. An operator then takes manual control for the final, precise approach to the target. This ensures maximum effectiveness and adaptability.
To handle the extreme forces at such high velocities, WIY DRONES developed its own custom propellers. The interceptor is equipped with both day and thermal imaging cameras, enabling 24/7 operational readiness with a flight endurance of 15-20 minutes.
According to a company representative, STRILA is at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7), meaning its prototype has been successfully tested in environments that closely simulate real-world combat conditions. “While they haven’t seen active combat use yet, we have units testing these drones along known Shahed flight paths”, the representative stated.
BUREWIY: Clearing the Skies of Enemy Eyes
Inspired by the success of the STRILA project, BUREWIY (Ukrainian for “Stormwind”) is tailored for a different, yet equally vital, role: hunting Russian reconnaissance drones like the Orlan, Zala, and SuperCam. These “eyes in the sky” are critical for enemy artillery spotting and intelligence gathering.
BUREWIY is designed to dominate the medium-altitude airspace where these spy drones typically operate, capable of intercepting targets at altitudes of 1,000 to 2,000 meters and reaching speeds of 250 km/h.
The drone operates on a proprietary digital communication link developed in-house by WIY DRONES, ensuring a secure and resilient control connection. For its video feed, it leverages Walksnail—a popular and battle-proven technology widely used by Ukrainian troops.
BUREWIY is on the cusp of official adoption. Having passed various tests, including those conducted by a Ministry of Defence commission, it is now close to codification. “It’s a matter of weeks, or perhaps a month, before it will be supplied to specific units, either through direct procurement or via the Ministry of Defence”, the company added.
A Unified Platform for Rapid Response
A key tactical feature shared by both STRILA and BUREWIY is their launch capability from specialized mobile platforms. This allows for rapid deployment and quick reaction to emerging threats, ensuring that these interceptors can be exactly where they need to be, right when they are needed most. By developing core components like propellers in-house, WIY DRONES is showcasing a deepening maturity in Ukraine’s defense-tech ecosystem—one that is innovating at lightning speed to protect the nation’s skies.
Source: MILITARNYI
