The commander of the Army Aviation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Pavel Bardakov, explained that the idea to use Yak-52 sport aircraft to destroy enemy drones originated from aviation enthusiasts. He emphasized that this method is effective as it covers areas that other aircraft cannot reach. He shared this information in the article 'Aviation Mobilization: How Sport Planes Shoot Down Shaheds for the Commander-in-Chief'.
According to Colonel Bardakov, the idea emerged during the large-scale invasion. He stated that the aircraft from the flying club proved their effectiveness, which became the basis for involving light aircraft in army aviation. The first Yak-52 squadron was formed in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in early August 2024, and the commander noted the contribution of Konstantin Oborin to this process.
Since the beginning of 2024, military leadership has actively utilized helicopters to destroy drones. Special programs and helicopter units were created for this purpose, and they successfully operate across the country in collaboration with other military units.
In recent years, Ukraine has actively implemented new methods for combating drones, using both sport aircraft and helicopters. This approach allows for effective defense and protection of the territorial integrity of the country.