New footage, believed to have been taken in southern Ukraine, shows Ukraine shooting down a Russian Shahed-type drone with handheld firearms from a Yak-52 trainer aircraft.
The drone is seen exploding in midair after a few shots. It is unclear when the video was taken.
First-person footage shows a Yak-52 aircraft gunner shooting down a Shahed drone over southern Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/g8m3xj99gK
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 24, 2026
Ukrainian Yak-52 trainers were first observed shooting down Russian reconnaissance drone over Odesa in 2024. Since then, Russia has adapted Yak-52 trainers and civilian Cessna aircraft for similar roles.
Ukrainian Yak-52, which is used to counter Russian reconnaissance drones.
Photo from a Russian Zala reconnaissance drone published by Russians. https://t.co/Ce46nwPVC2 pic.twitter.com/Xq5Y5lJM8m— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) June 29, 2024
👀✈️ The view from the cockpit of “Yak-52” during the shot down of Russian “Orlan” UAV in Odesa. pic.twitter.com/cZQXtBqXQ6
— MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) April 27, 2024
Ukraine uses a variety of aircraft, including F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets, to target Russia’s $20,000–$50,000 Shahed-type drones.
It was recently reported that Ukraine has been using an old Antonov An-28 civilian aircraft, equipped with a six-barrel Gatling-type M134 Minigun, to shoot down Shahed drones.
A Ukrainian civilian An-28 aircraft, modified for the role of a “Shahed hunter,” now bears a staggering 114 confirmed kills marked on its fuselage. https://t.co/AxeHdG9gtd pic.twitter.com/HWaM20cOgW
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) February 4, 2026
