Russia’s glide Bomb Attacks on Ukraine: A Shifting Battlefield
In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the use of glide bombs has become a defining feature of the war. These precision-guided weapons, which Russia has employed extensively as the invasion began, have seen a notable decline in usage over recent months. However, their impact remains devastating, posing a persistent threat to both military targets and civilian populations.
According to military analysts,the reduction in glide bomb attacks can be attributed to several factors. Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian air bases and ammunition depots during the summer and fall of 2024 have disrupted Moscow’s ability to launch these weapons effectively. additionally,advancements in Ukraine’s air defense systems have made it increasingly arduous for Russian forces to execute these attacks with impunity.
Glide bombs, which are essentially conventional munitions retrofitted with guidance kits, are especially challenging to intercept. Their short flight time, low radar visibility, and unpredictable trajectories make them a formidable weapon. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has managed to reduce the frequency of such attacks by approximately 70% compared to the summer of 2024, as reported by yuriy, a major in Ukraine’s National Guard electronic warfare unit.
Yuriy explained, “The decrease in attacks is largely due to accomplished strikes on Russian bases and the psychological impact of F-16 fighters now operating in Ukraine. Russian pilots are increasingly cautious.”
Egor Chernev, Deputy Chairman of Ukraine’s Rada Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, added that attacks on Russian airfields have forced Moscow to relocate its tactical aircraft further from the front lines. This has not only reduced the frequency of sorties but also increased the time it takes for Ukrainian forces to detect incoming threats.
The Persistent Danger of Glide Bombs
Despite the decline in attacks, glide bombs continue to inflict significant damage. A recent strike on Zaporozhye on January 10, 2025, resulted in more than ten fatalities and left over 30 people wounded.ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky condemned the attack, stating, “This once again shows what russia realy wants. They only want war and only victims.”
On the eastern front in Donetsk, military experts have observed a correlation between the reduction in glide bomb attacks and the slowing pace of Russian advances. George Barros, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, noted, “The Russian troops there are very tired and very weary.”
Barros emphasized that to fully neutralize the threat posed by glide bombs, Ukraine requires continued support from the United States and NATO, particularly in the form of long-range weapons. Such supplies would enable Ukraine to maintain pressure on Russian air bases and further diminish the effectiveness of these precision-guided munitions.
The Broader Context of the Conflict
As of January 9, 2025, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 144 military clashes along the front lines. The Pokrovsky direction saw the most intense fighting, with Russian forces carrying out 37 assault and offensive actions in a single day.
Simultaneously occurring, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the staggering human cost of the war for Russia. He stated that Moscow has lost approximately 700,000 military personnel, either killed or wounded, sence the conflict began. These losses, Austin noted, exceed those suffered by Russia in all other conflicts since World War II combined.
As the war enters its fourth year, the dynamics of the battlefield continue to evolve. While Ukraine has made significant strides in countering Russian aggression, the threat from glide bombs and other advanced weaponry remains a critical challenge. The international community’s support will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this protracted and devastating conflict.
