Reconnaissance drones in the crosshairs: Ukrainian Yak-52s hunt Russian UAVs with onboard gunners

The first images of Ukrainian interceptions of Russian reconnaissance drones by a Yakovlev Yak-52 circulated on Russian forums in April 2024, accompanied by angry comments. Now reports are multiplying again; the latest video footage was taken only this week.

The aircraft dates from the 1970s, is unarmed, is powered by a 400 hp radial engine and reaches no more than 300 km/h. So what can such a machine achieve in a war in which satellites and hypersonic weapons are also used, that it attracts attention?

The answer: the aircraft intercepts Russian reconnaissance drones in the Ukrainian hinterland. This recalls the early days of aerial combat in the First World War: as back then, gunners with small arms sit in the rear seat of the “Yaks” – there are definitely several in service. What they do is by no means insignificant.

Robert Brovdi, commander of the 414th Unmanned Systems Brigade “Birds of Magyar”, stresses in his latest video that it makes a noticeable difference whether Russian reconnaissance drones can fly undisturbed. When they are successfully engaged, the frequency and effect of Russian long-range fire demonstrably suffer.

Who flies the reconnaissance drone hunters

In a simple trainer, these brave men throw themselves into an air battle otherwise dominated by supersonic jets and long-range missiles. They probably come from the Odesa region – at least that is where the verifiable sightings originate. These are, on the one hand, mobile phone videos shot from the ground and, on the other, the “last images” of Russian reconnaissance drones, apparently taken shortly before they were shot down.

How effective these missions really are is not publicly known. However, a photo of the Yak-52 from the spring shows eight kill markings, which suggests more than an isolated case. In any event, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti felt prompted in August 2024 to report on a Yak-52B2 version under development.

The report quoted Dmitry Motin, head of the Experimental Design Bureau (OKB) “Aviastroitel”. According to him, work was under way to integrate new instruments and navigation systems, an electronic warfare system and a radar. The aim was to turn the sports and training aircraft into a “UAV hunter”.

Since then, however, nothing has been seen or heard of it. So far, only Ukraine can point to verifiable interceptions with the Yak-52.