In a joint effort between civilians and the Armed Forces, Ukraine has developed its own version of the “Spooky” gunship to counter the constant waves of Russian Shahed and Geran drones. A recent exclusive report by the French outlet TF1 lifted the veil on how this unit operates alongside a light transport aircraft, an An-28 modified for the mission.
Thanks to TF1’s comprehensive coverage, Ukraine’s ingenuity in countering the threat posed by Russian drones can once again be seen. This capability gains particular relevance when considering that Moscow has significantly accelerated the production of attack unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as strikes against critical infrastructure. The effects of this offensive are evident during the harsh Ukrainian winter, with several cities suffering damage to power generation facilities.
TF1’s report provided a close look at the day-to-day activity of this drone-hunting unit, as well as the equipment used for such high-profile and high-risk missions. As part of a joint effort between civilian personnel and the Armed Forces, Ukraine has developed its own version of the Spooky gunship, albeit in a scaled-down form.
An-28 and Minigun machine guns — the Ukrainian Spooky
In this case, the adapted solution to counter Russian drones is based on using a light transport aircraft, the An-28 “Cash” (NATO reporting name), which was modified to operate M134 Minigun machine guns, electro-optical/IR systems, targeting equipment, night-vision goggles, and upgraded avionics — effectively creating a “pocket-sized” Spooky gunship.
TF1’s report allows viewers to observe the configuration adopted on the An-28, which, in addition to a pilot and co-pilot, includes a station for the electro-optical/IR systems operator and a gunner operating an M134 Minigun. The footage also shows both the pilot and the gunner using night-vision goggles, a logical solution given that operations against Russian drones are typically conducted at night.
Among the systems installed on the An-28 Spooky, the electro-optical/IR sensor suite stands out as essential for detecting and tracking Russian drones. In addition to all-weather visual capability, it features auto-tracking, which is “slaved” onto the target to ensure continuous tracking.
As for armament, it consists of a Dillon M134 Minigun in 7.62 mm caliber, with a rate of fire of around 3,000 rounds per minute. As seen in the footage released by TF1, a burst lasting three to four seconds is usually enough to guarantee the destruction of the drones.
It is worth recalling that in November 2025 a video went viral showing a Russian drone being shot down from an aircraft armed with a Minigun. At the time, it was speculated that it could have been a helicopter, but the sequence likely belonged to the Ukrainian Spooky, which was then operating under a low profile.
For now, it remains unknown whether this is a single aircraft or if Ukraine’s Armed Forces plan to replicate the concept, which seems to be proving its effectiveness despite the risky nature of the mission. This risk is evident at the end of TF1’s report, where the Ukrainian Spooky displays damage caused by shrapnel from the explosion of a downed Russian drone.
Cover image: TF1 screenshot.
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