Russia upgrades guided bombs, extending their range – “Flash” warns
The occupiers are not only using aerial bombs on a large scale but also upgrading them to evade Ukrainian defenses. The key feature of the upgraded versions is their claimed resistance to electronic warfare (EW).
Guided aerial bomb /
Russia is pressing ahead with attempts to enhance its aerial attack weapons. Guided aerial bombs remain a major problem for Ukraine’s defense forces, as the enemy equips them with new protection systems. According to Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Russia is not only intensifying strikes but also making technical changes to bomb construction, unveiling new UMPB‑5 munitions based on the FAB‑500 high‑explosive bomb.
The key feature of these upgraded versions is their claimed resistance to electronic warfare systems. Russian forces are actively promoting the idea that their new protection system allows bombs to ignore Ukrainian countermeasures.
“Their real capabilities and effectiveness still require further study,” the expert noted.
What has changed
Beyond protection against electronic warfare, the upgraded munitions have improved flight characteristics. According to Beskrestnov, there are two versions:
- With a jet engine: according to Russian claims, this version can strike targets at distances of up to 200 km.
- Without an engine (glide version): the flight range is up to 150 km.
This allows Russian aircraft to drop bombs without entering the range of most Ukrainian air defense systems.
Despite bold propaganda claims, “Flash” notes that the bombs contain few revolutionary technological innovations, with the emphasis placed on mass use, extended range and attempts to bypass Ukraine’s “electronic shield”.
Modernization of CABs