Russia uses guided bombs against Odesa region for first time: Ihnat comments on threat

Russian forces have enhanced their guided aviation bombs with jet propulsion, extending their range to up to 150 kilometres. Notably, on Thursday 24 October, one such bomb struck Odesa for the first time.

Assessing the risk of sustained Russian assaults on the Odesa region with these precision weapons, Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spoke to Suspilne public broadcaster.

Ihnat confirmed that guided bombs fitted with jet engines are now able to reach Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv and Poltava regions.

"This is the same bomb, dropped from a Su-34 aircraft; in flight characteristics, it mirrors a cruise missile, making it vulnerable to interception by air defence systems. Yesterday, the Southern Air Command verified the downing of two such extended-range guided bombs. Experts will determine their exact type. A third bomb fell on open ground without causing any damage,” Ihnat said.

At the same time, he reassured that Russia is deploying them in isolated instances, probing their performance alongside the readiness and response of Ukraine's defence forces.

Ihnat also urged restraint in escalating public anxiety, noting Russia's arsenal of aerial strike tools continues to evolve in sophistication and reach. Ukraine, bolstered by Western allies, he said, is similarly advancing its defensive technologies.