**Russian Glide Bombs Get a Boost in Range, Outsmarting Ukrainian Defenses**
The war in Ukraine has just gotten more complicated. Russia has upgraded its satellite-guided glide bombs to double the range of previous models. This means that Russian pilots can now drop their deadly cargo from over 95 kilometers away, staying safely beyond most Ukrainian air defenses.
Every day, 180 Russian glide bombs fall on Ukraine. And with this new upgrade, they’re falling from twice as far away. The extended-range UMPK-PD bomb is the culprit here, first appearing under the wing of a Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber earlier this spring. While the original UMPK had a range of around 40 kilometers, the new version can strike targets over twice as far.
**The Tactical Balance Shifts**
This upgrade fundamentally changes the way Ukraine’s air defenses are tested. By staying beyond Ukrainian electronic warfare systems, Russian pilots can now use their glide bombs more effectively, shifting the tactical balance along the 1100-kilometer front line. According to the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies (CDS), the Russians have already used this new version of the UMPK-PD bomb in Kharkiv Oblast, striking targets from positions over the village of Tomarovka in Belgorod Oblast.
**Daily Dose of Destruction**
While it’s unclear what percentage of daily UMPK strikes involve the longer-range version, one thing is certain – Russia has been busy dropping bombs on Ukraine. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia has dropped 27,700 aerial bombs just this year. That’s in less than half a year.
**What This Means for Ukraine**
This upgrade puts additional pressure on Ukraine’s air defenses and military planners. With Russian pilots able to drop their glide bombs from twice as far away, Ukrainian forces will have to adapt quickly to stay ahead of the game. As the war rages on, one thing is clear – this new development means that Russia has a significant advantage in terms of firepower.
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