WWI Tactics Take Down Russian Drones

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Ukrainian volunteers used an unconventional tactic, flying a Yak 52 aircraft to shoot down a Russian Orlan-10 spy drone with small arms fire near Odessa.
  • The incident, reminiscent of First World War dogfights, highlights Ukraine's creative and "outside-the-box" approaches to air defense.
  • The downed Orlan-10 spy drone, which was unarmed, is valued between $87,000 and $120,000 and follows a previous Ukrainian kamikaze drone attack using a modified Light Sport aircraft.
See a mistake? Contact us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el4RH999QSI

Two weeks after Ukraine used a Light Sport aircraft modified as a kamikaze drone to attack a Russian drone factory, video proof of other outside-the-box tactics emerged this week of two guys in a Yak 52 shooting down a Russian drone with small arms. In a scene reminiscent of First World War dogfights, the much faster Yak (top speed about 100 knots) circles the Orlan-10 spy drone with its deployed emergency chute.

The video was shot near Odessa and it was apparently the handiwork of a “Ukrainian volunteer flying club.” According to commenters on the video the drone, which doesn’t carry weapons, is worth between $87,000 and $120,000.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE