This is how Ukrainian Yak-52 Crews Hunt Russian Drones
11 days ago
- #Ukraine
- #Drone Warfare
- #Yak-52
- Ukrainian Army Aviation uses Yak-52 prop trainers to hunt Russian drones.
- Pilot 'Maestro' and gunner 'Ninja' have flown around 300 combat missions, downing nearly half of the unit's claimed 120 drones.
- The Yak-52 is considered more survivable than helicopters, allowing operations closer to the front lines.
- The aircraft primarily targets Russian Orlan and ZALA surveillance drones, engaging them with handheld guns or wingtip maneuvers.
- Russian drones are increasingly equipped with rear-facing cameras to evade interception.
- Ukraine's multi-layered air defense includes Yak-52s, Western-supplied systems, and electronic warfare.
- Russia produces Shahed/Geran drones at a rate of 2,000 per month, with plans to increase production.
- Russia has also attempted to develop a counter-drone solution based on the Yak-52.