Recently released video shows an unusual tactic used by Ukraine to counter Russian drones. This method involves firing directly from a training aircraft.
This video was filmed in first person. Yak-52There is a scene where a crew member riding in the rear seat of a gun fires at a Geran drone, and the drone explodes in the air after being hit.
After 2024, Ukraine is using modified Soviet-era aircraft to respond to the growing drone threat, and is using light weapons that are manually operated during flight. In a recent case, the operator neutralized the target by firing approximately eight rounds from a semi-automatic rifle, demonstrating an improvised but effective method given the technical limitations of equipping aircraft with fixed weapons.
The reason this method was chosen was because of the difficulty in structurally modifying the Yak-52 to mount a machine gun. Interestingly, Russia has also tested similar modifications, including electronic warfare systems and temporary armament, but there are still no clear records of actual combat use.
Meanwhile, Geran drones are widely used by Russia not only for large-scale attacks but also for precision operations targeting urban areas. In this situation, Ukraine is responding to increasingly frequent aerial threats through a variety of strategies combining aircraft, helicopters, and interceptor drones.
source: The Aviationist | Photo: X @Archer83Able | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
The interception of a Russian Shahed/Geran-type long-range OWA-UAV with a firearm by a Ukrainian serviceman flying on board a Yak-52 piston-engine trainer aircraft. pic.twitter.com/5JvFY00E0e
— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) March 24, 2026
