Ukrainian rear gunner shoots down attack drones with rifle from open cockpit

A Ukrainian rear gunner was filmed shooting down attack drones from the open cockpit of a small plane with his rifle in extraordinary video published to social media by troops.

Footage shows Stanislav, a pilot of Ukraine’s 11th Army Aviation Brigade, firing at approaching Russia enemy drones from the inside of a Yak-52.

Stanislav told local outlet Censor.net: “It’s an aerial duel in the truest sense of the word.

“A great deal depends on the pilot’s skill, and on the accuracy and professionalism of the gunner.”

Stanislav said that looking up at a drone-free sky after his combat missions gives him a “sense of satisfaction and peace”.

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