The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukrainian pilots are using Soviet-era Yak-52 aircraft to search the skies for Russian "Geranium-2" drones, a tactic that has returned to the era of World War I. This tactic is not carried out by Ukrainian Air Force pilots, but rather by teams of civilian pilots. The Yak-52 crew consists of two people, one controlling the plane and the other sticking out of the cockpit to shoot at the Russian "Geranium-2" drone with a shotgun. This practice was popular in the early stages of World War I, but it's surprising that over 100 years later, it has reappeared in Ukraine.
Although the pilots flying the Yak-52 are civilians, they can at least fly, while the shooters sitting in the rear cabin shooting at the Russian "Geranium-2" drone have a variety of professions, some even being auto mechanics.
Ukraine uses such a modest method to intercept Russian "Geranium-2" drones because its armed forces lack sufficient air defense weapon systems. Previously, CNN cited Ukrainian intelligence data reporting that Russia can now produce 3,000 "Geranium" series drones per month, and its production capacity will double soon, which means that the military will be able to launch more intense attacks on various high-value targets deep within Ukrainian territory in the near future. However, the number of Ukraine's air defense missile systems is small and expensive, making it impossible to engage in a war of attrition with the Russian "Geranium" series drones. Therefore, they have to use a patchwork of air defense forces to deal with the "Geranium-2" drones.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841433348858908/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.