The threat of US intercontinental bombers prompted the development of Soviet all-weather interceptors with powerful radars, the first of which was the Yakovlev Yak-25 'Flashlight'. The Yak-25 featured a large nose mounted Sokol radar with three scan modes, could carry a pair of air-to-air missiles (both infrared and radar guided), and could carry sufficient fuel for an endurance of up to 2 1/2 hours. Problems with the radar, however, delayed introduction until the mid-1950s but went on to serve with Soviet air defense forces mostly in remote sectors of the USSR where radar coverage was lowest. Like most other Soviet interceptors, the Yak-25 was not exported and was not reported to ever see combat although it was adapted to other roles such as tactical and strategic reconnaissance as well as a fighter-bomber with a glazed nose in place of the radome.

First flight of the Yak-120 prototype was on 19 June 1952 entering service as the Yak-25 'Flashlight-A'. Other versions included the Yak-25R 'Flashlight-B' two seat tactical recon platform, the improved Yak-25P 'Flashlight-C' interceptor, and the Yak-25RV 'Mandrake' high altitude strategic recon aircraft. An improved interceptor version notable for its pointed nose was designed as the Yak-27 but was not put into production. However, a reconnaissance version known as the Yak-27R 'Mangrove' did enter service in small numbers.