The appearance of Yak-52s in this role is not entirely unexpected, given Russia’s stock of these light, sport-training planes, but it reflects the search for unconventional methods to counter Ukrainian UAVs, Defense Express reports.A video circulating online shows a gunner climbing into the cockpit of a Yak-52 with an assault rifle — the first footage of such an attempt. Reports had earlier suggested Russia was considering adapting small aircraft for air defense missions, and in 2024 even discussed fitting them with electronic warfare systems and radars, though such upgrades appear questionable.In Ukraine, Yak-52s were primarily used against reconnaissance UAVs such as Orlan and Zala, before widespread deployment of anti-drone UAVs took over this role. For Russia, the tactic may be aimed at intercepting Ukraine’s long-range drones, which often fly at relatively low speed and altitude — making them vulnerable to manned pursuit. Shooting is conducted with small arms, in a style reminiscent of World War I.These operations require significant coordination: not only between the Yak-52 crew and broader military units, but also with digital systems that identify targets and prevent friendly fire — an incident that has already occurred in Russia involving civilian aircraft.The resort to Yak-52s also highlights shortages. Despite having large numbers of surface-to-air missile systems and fighter jets, Russia’s vast territory, combined with the concentration of air defenses around Moscow, key government facilities, and the frontline, has left gaps in coverage. Ukrainian drones, flying low and slow, are difficult to detect with radar and can evade traditional SAM systems.At present, Yak-52 involvement appears to be ad hoc or volunteer-based, but given Ukraine’s prior experience, these aircraft could eventually be incorporated into the Russian Aerospace Forces or army aviation. Yak-52s are still operated by DOSAAF (the Russian Voluntary Society for Assistance to the Army, Air Force, and Navy), making wider mobilization possible in the future.