The R-5 was developed by the design bureau led by Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov[1] as a replacement for the R-1(an unlicensed version of the DH.9A built in Russia) which served as the standard reconnaissance and light bomber aircraft with the Soviet Air Force.

After extensive evaluation, the R-5 entered production in 1930, powered by the Mikulin M-17, a licence-built copy of the BMW-VI, as a reconnaissance bomber.

[4] The R-5 became the standard reconnaissance and attack aircraft with the Soviet Air Force, being used in large numbers, with over 100 regiments equipped with the R-5.

[3] R-5s served with the Soviet Air Force and Mongolian People's Air Force during the 1939 Battle of Khalkhin Gol against the Japanese They took active part in the Soviet invasion of Poland (1939), and in the 1939-40 Winter War against Finland, where they were known as the hermosaha ("nerve saw").

The aircraft was known as the "Rasante" (roughly translated as "Low flying") in the Spanish Republican Air Force.

[3][8] Ski-equipped P-5s with Kassetas played a key role in the rescue of the crew of the icebound Soviet steamship Chelyuskin in 1934.