Myanmar Rebels Strike Russian-Made Yak-130 With FPV Drone

Myanmar’s People’s Defence Forces struck a Russian-made Yak-130 trainer and light attack aircraft with an FPV drone at Tada-U airfield, south of Mandalay.

The footage was shared on X by journalist Thomas van Linge.

The drone struck the aircraft’s nose, which houses part of its onboard electronics and flight control systems.

The Yak-130 is a two-seat jet trainer and light attack aircraft developed by the Russian Yakovlev Design Bureau. It is designed to train combat aircraft pilots and can also be used as a light attack aircraft for engaging ground targets.

Myanmar 🇲🇲: PDF resistance sources published footage which showed FPV drones damage four junta jets at the Tada-U airbase, south of Mandalay.

Resistance forces just took their drone warfare to the next level. pic.twitter.com/8FAgZygKIo

— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) September 10, 2026

Myanmar received a total of 20 Yak-130 aircraft from Russia, delivered in batches between 2017 and 2021. The country has already lost one or two aircraft of this type.

Following the 2021 military coup, the junta began using these aircraft extensively as light attack platforms, carrying out airstrikes with unguided missiles and bombs against rebel forces and civilian targets.

The People’s Defence Force is the armed wing of Myanmar’s National Unity Government, formed to fight against the ruling military junta.