Russia's latest weapon could force Ukraine to change its counterattack plans

Russian Sukhoi Su-24M aircraft. Photo: Telegraph

According to the Telegraph, the 11 glide bombs dropped by Russian warplanes on the night of March 24 confirmed reports that the Russian air force was adapting to the new situation.

Glider bombs are fitted with wings to increase their range, and fly low and far enough to evade some air defense systems. Russia’s glide bombs made headlines after a Russian fighter jet accidentally dropped one in the city of Belgorod, damaging a building and injuring three people.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Colonel Yuriy Ihnat said that glide bombs pose a very serious threat. With the use of glide technology, the range of these bombs is increased, meaning that Russian aircraft can avoid risky sorties near the front line.

"Currently, the Russian military is using tactical aircraft for combat missions along the borders, at the front line and in coastal areas. In those areas, Russian forces have used a lot of glide bombs over the past month."

Ukrainian officials estimate that the Russian air force has dropped at least 20 glide bombs a day on the battlefield.

While the West awaits Ukraine's spring counteroffensive, analysts in Kiev and the West are beginning to believe that Russia's use of new weapons could force Kiev to change its war plans at the last minute.

The most basic feature of a glide bomb is that it is modified, equipped with wings and a guidance system that allows it to set a flight path to its target. It seems that glide bombs, which are cheaper and easier to produce than ballistic and cruise missiles, have become Russia's weapon of choice.

UPAB-1500B glide bomb. Photo: Telegraph

The specifications and capabilities of each glide bomb vary considerably. Some have ranges of up to 120km and can hit targets within a 10m radius. However, the Russian military is believed to be using glide bombs with ranges of 50km to 72km.

Regardless of how effective the glide bomb is, the weapon could give Russian fighter pilots the ability to effectively use air power to influence ground operations.

According to intelligence gathered by Ukraine, most of the glide bomb attacks were launched from inside Russian territory, allowing Russian warplanes to turn around to avoid flying into Ukrainian air defense range.

According to Colonel Ihnat, Ukraine can sometimes intercept S-300 surface-to-air missiles, but intercepting these glide bombs is a problem.

Military experts say glide bombs have a lower radar signature than conventional long-range weapons, making them harder for Ukraine to track. Radars do not always detect objects flying at low altitudes, and the small size of glide bombs makes them harder to see on radar.

In addition, the anti-radar and electronic jamming techniques deployed by Russia give Kiev only a limited amount of time to target the bombs once they are exposed.