According to recent reports, Ukrainian drone manufacturer Sky Defenders has tested a new unmanned aerial vehicle armed with a four-barrel shotgun. The fixed-wing aircraft, known as the ZigZag, is designed to intercept and destroy opposing drones, offering a glimpse into the fast-evolving use of aerial platforms in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Fixed-wing ZigZag design and armament
The ZigZag’s design follows a conventional fixed-wing format and is launched via a ground catapult. Notable in the nose of the aircraft is a set of four shotgun barrels, complemented by an aiming post and ring for targeting.
Mounted above is a 360-degree rotating camera gimbal, which enhances target acquisition during flight. Testing footage indicates that the recoil from the shotgun blast does not interfere significantly with the drone’s flight, suggesting a robust airframe and ample engine power.
Sky Defenders has been developing the ZigZag since at least February 2025, with an initial video showing it without the four-shotgun configuration. In the most recent test video, the drone demonstrated controlled flight while appearing to handle live gunfire.
The manufacturer’s earlier creation, the Vyryi M7, serves a different role: it is a loitering munition powered by a single rear propeller, reportedly having a 33 km range and a warhead in its nose. Unlike the M7, the ZigZag seems intended for multiple sorties rather than one-way missions.
Evolving drone capabilities
The war in Ukraine has accelerated drone innovation for both reconnaissance and offensive operations. The ZigZag’s shotgun armament follows a growing trend of mounting firearms on unmanned platforms.
Ukrainian forces have also adapted other drones for anti-drone and ground engagement roles. One notable example is a double-barrel shotgun fitted onto a quadcopter operated by the 30th Mechanized Brigade, credited with destroying at least 20 Russian unmanned aerial vehicles as of January 15, 2025.
Another development is an FPV drone armed with a 5.45 mm AK-74, called the “Queen of the Hornets,” used to eliminate Russian infantry positions. These variations of armed drones are intended to tackle threats ranging from reconnaissance UAVs to ground forces.
In instances where enemy troops or equipment are exposed, shotgun or automatic rifle fire can suppress and neutralize targets. Footage shared by operators shows that this method is effective at intercepting hostile drones and engaging soldiers on the ground, especially when using buckshot-like rounds that disperse over a wider area.
While the ZigZag’s exact range, payload, and loitering capacity remain undisclosed, its design reflects the growing sophistication of Ukrainian drone technology. Combining a fixed-wing layout with powerful engines on each wing allows the drone to maintain higher speeds and potentially carry heavier payloads than many quadcopter variants.
As Sky Defenders continues to refine the ZigZag, its performance in upcoming field tests will offer more insights into the future of gun-armed drones. If successful, it may become a key element in Ukraine’s layered defense strategy, joining other armed UAVs already deployed at the front lines. With multiple Ukrainian units experimenting with similar concepts, the ZigZag highlights how rapidly drones are evolving into multi-purpose, combat-ready platforms.
