Designed by V. G. Yermolayev to replace the Il-4, the Yer-2 was a very effective gull winged bomber with twin tail fins which was unfortunately produced in very few numbers despite highly satisfactory performance figures. Featuring an offset cockpit as one of its most prominent features, the attractive Yer-2 was capable of impressive range and it is said to have bombed Berlin in various occasions during nighttime raids, an astonishing feat considering it was only a twin-engined aircraft. Its low production therefore was mostly due not to lack of appeal but rather due to the lack of importance attached to strategic bombing by Soviet authorities during the conflict and which had the Yer-2 end up performing mostly short-range attacks behind the front lines with a small number converted to VIP transports. Following Yermolayev's death in 1944, his bureau was inherited by Sukhoi.

The Yer-2 originated as a derivative of the STAL-7 transport, its prototype was known as the DB-240 and had its maiden flight in June 1940. There were no major combat variants other than the basic Yer-2 although some aircraft were eventually fitted with ASh-30B engines in addition to other improvements such as a revised cockpit, increased armamanet and heavier payloads. Two aircraft were converted to VIP transports and designated Yer-2ON.