Ukrainian Yak‑52 takes down Russian drone in latest interception

The Russians showed a photo depicting the interception of their Zala drone. The Ukrainians used a Soviet-manufactured aircraft, the Yak-52, for this purpose. Let’s revisit the capabilities of both designs.

Although the photo shared on platform X by the profile @front_ukrainian may seem unique, it is not the first incident in which a Russian-made Yak-52 has engaged in air combat with a Russian drone. At the end of April this year, a similar photo appeared online featuring the Yak-52 used by Ukrainians. In the photo, on close inspection, you can see stickers indicating that the aircraft has already destroyed at least eight drones.

This time, the photo comes from a camera mounted on the Zala drone, designed for surveillance or artillery fire control. In the 421 version, the Zala drone is powered by a single electric motor, allowing it to reach speeds of approximately 150 km/h. Its maximum range is about 14 km, and it can operate and observe at an altitude of approximately 3,600 metres.

Compared to the aforementioned Russian drone, the Yak-52 seems to be a more exciting design. It is a Soviet-manufactured trainer aircraft that first flew in 1976. Initially, it served as a training aircraft for Soviet DOSAAF pilots, who trained as civilian or military pilots.

The Yak-52 is often used as an aerobatic aircraft due to its properties, including its ability to withstand g-forces of +7/-5 G and rotate at a speed of 180 degrees per second. The dry weight of the Yak-52, which is only 1,000 kg, is also crucial for its aerobatic capabilities. Thanks to this, the aircraft, with a wingspan of about 9.3 metres and just under 7.8 metres in length, can accelerate to nearly 240 km/h. Its ceiling is 4,000 metres, and its range on a full tank reaches 500 km.

It is also worth highlighting the relatively unique solution implemented by the Yakovlev design bureau in the Yak-52 aircraft. The pneumatic system starts the engine, controls the landing gear and brakes, and operates all the control surfaces, including the rudder. The Yak-52's landing gear, although fully retractable, also leaves the wheels protruding from the fuselage. If the pneumatic system fails, this allows the aircraft to make an emergency landing.