Russian guided bomb hit debris, detonated right on target

Russia dropped a series of guided bombs on a target in Kharkiv province, but one hit fragments from the ground and detonated before hitting its target.

A Russian fighter pilot's Fighter Bomber account posted a video from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) today, showing the moment a series of FAB-500 bombs with Unified Guidance and Lifting Modules (UMPK) crashed into a "Ukrainian military hangar and ammunition depot" near the city of Vovchansk in Kharkiv province.

In the video, at least two bombs hit the warehouse and created a violent explosion. The third bomb exploded in the air, sending shockwaves and shrapnel down to the area below. "The bomb detonated in the air because it hit debris that had been thrown up earlier. This is a very rare incident," the pilot said.

Russian guided bomb hit debris, detonated right on target — The moment a Russian guided bomb explodes on its target in a video released today. Video: *Telegram/Fighter_Bomber*

FAB-500 is a conventional bomb weighing 500 kg, containing a powerful explosive equivalent to 300 kg of TNT. This type of bomb is capable of causing damage within a radius of 250 m, specializing in destroying unprotected or lightly armored targets.

The UMPK includes a GLONASS satellite navigation device and a control system to significantly increase accuracy, along with lifting wings that allow the bomb to fly farther than the original. This is a similar solution to the US JDAM-ER line, helping to turn conventional bombs into smart bombs, instead of having to produce specialized guided bombs at high costs.

The UMPK guided bomb can fly 50-70 km, allowing Russian fighters to operate from outside the range of most Ukrainian air defense systems. Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuri Ignat admitted that Kiev has no countermeasures against this type of bomb.

The Russia-Ukraine war situation. Graphics: WP

Russia has launched several large-scale raids on Ukraine since late December 2023, as Kiev stepped up efforts to produce military supplies domestically to ensure stable supplies and reduce dependence on foreign partners, which are facing shortages and unable to meet the needs of the country's military.

Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that military facilities have been among the targets of Russian attacks in recent times, but have often refrained from detailing the damage. Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Defense Intelligence, said Russia has not repeated its trend of attacking energy infrastructure, instead focusing on defense industrial facilities.

Vu Anh (According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Reuters )

Source link