Russia Has Begun Using the Yak-52 And An-2 As Carrier Aircraft For Interceptor Drones

The Russian BARS-Sarmat unit has started using new types of anti-aircraft FPV drones, mounting them on Yak-52 and An-2 aircraft.

Potuzhny Informator Telegram channel reported on this, citing a video published on the ROGOZIN Telegram channel.

Among the new products showcased by the Russians were high-speed FPV drones of the Sting/P1-SUN form factor, designed to intercept aerial targets: one for ground launch and the other for launch from aircraft.

To demonstrate air-launched operations, the Russians showcased two platforms. The first was a Yak-52 training aircraft (a/n 246) equipped with six drone launchers.

The video shows the aircraft taking off with four such drones, although six launchers are clearly visible.

At the same time, it remains unclear how the drone is controlled, since there is no space on the aircraft for equipment to control it directly from the cockpit.

The implementation of interceptor drones on the An-2 is different, since this aircraft is a passenger plane and has enough space for equipment, which the Russians used to enable control from aboard.

However, the published footage does not show how many interceptor drones the aircraft can carry. It is only clear that the launch takes place from an under-fuselage mount; however, there is no footage of launches from under the wings.

In addition, the Russians showed the interception of Ukrainian drones, which can be identified in the video as Maya decoy UAVs, as well as footage of the destruction of other types of drones.

This type of use of interceptor drones is actively employed in Ukraine from An-28 aircraft. In April 2026, Militarnyi reported that Ukrainian specialists had equipped at least one aircraft of this type with P1-SUN interceptor drones, as well as AS-3 Surveyor drones.

The aircraft was equipped with at least three hardpoints under each wing, allowing it to carry up to six interceptor drones simultaneously. In addition, the An-28 is equipped with an optical station for visual detection of aerial targets.

As early as May 2026, it was reported that an An-28 aircraft, armed with interceptor drones, had destroyed 213 enemy drones.