Belarusian Yak‑130 violates Ukrainian airspace, raises tensions

On Tuesday, September 24, Belarusian aircraft violated Ukrainian airspace. It was most likely a Yak-130. We explain the characteristics of this type of aircraft.

Ukrainian air forces reported that the Belarusian aircraft, after crossing the administrative borders of the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions and triggering anti-aircraft alarm sirens, headed south and then disappeared from the radar.

The Defence Express portal specializing in military topics notes that this is the first time during the war in Ukraine that Belarusian aircraft have violated Ukrainian airspace, and it can formally be described as a combat aircraft.

The Yak-130 is a Russian trainer aircraft that first flew in 1996. For the Belarusian air force, it is one of two armed aircraft of this type (along with the older L-39).

This is a two-seater aircraft, approximately 12 metres in length and with a wingspan of about 10 metres. Its takeoff weight is 6,350 kilograms. It is powered by two AI-222-25 turbofan engines, which enable it to reach speeds of just over 1,000 kilometres per hour. The maximum altitude at which the Yak-130 can operate is about 13,000 metres.

The Yak-130 is capable of performing combat missions, although its strike capabilities are quite limited. The maximum weight of the carried arsenal can reach 3,000 kilograms. The aircraft is compatible with several types of Russian air-to-air missiles (including R-73) and bombs.

Belarus has had Yak-130 aircraft since 2015. The first agreement with Russia included the delivery of four such aircraft, and a few years later, further contracts were made for several more units. In 2021, one such Belarusian aircraft crashed near Baranovichi due to a control system failure.