To destroy the hundreds of Russian drones that attack Ukraine almost every night, Ukraine’s air defense uses every possible method. For example, Soviet, propeller-driven aircraft such as the Yak-52 are used - they are cheaper than the drones themselves.

The destruction of Russian Shahed drones critically depends on the skill of both the gunner and the pilot. It’s extremely dangerous, because the gunner must open the cabin in flight to fire an assault rifle at drones that are only a few hundred meters away.

The problem, the gunners say, is not so much hitting the drones as finding them. An onboard radar would be too heavy for the very aircraft. After all, it wasn’t built for war - it was meant to train pilots. Even its propeller is wooden.

At the same time, what this aircraft lacks in technical sophistication is more than offset by its price. Older Yak-52s can be bought in Europe for €50,000.

Glory to our Defenders!

: DW
https://x.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1977400153708392647

https://files.catbox.moe/wgs3pr.mp4