Russia is working on modifications to guided bombs. They will allow such bombs to fly up to 400 km, enabling Moscow to strike more Ukrainian towns and cities, including the capital, Kyiv, without using missiles, Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, said in an interview with Reuters.

Ukraine has point air defense against glide bombs, but this is not a systemic, comprehensive solution. The best way to counter them is to destroy the aircraft that launch them.

One long-term strategy could stop Russia’s glide bombs

Meanwhile, NATO tests a new solution from Alta Ares, Tytan Technologies, and ATREYD, which includes radar, AI-based software, and a drone interceptor designed to target such weapons. 

 

New wings of Russia’s genocidal machine

Russia is already planning to produce up to 500 improved glide bombs with a flight range of up to 200 kilometers by the end of 2025. To achieve such a range, the Russians are installing the SW800Pro‑Y turbojet engine manufactured by the Chinese company Swiwin.

In October 2025, the first reports appeared that Russia had begun producing new guided aerial bombs with upgraded UMPK modules, capable of hitting targets at distances of up to 200 kilometers.

Currently, two new types of Russian aerial bombs are known: the UMPB-5R glide bomb, equipped with a jet engine, and the universal gliding kit (UMPK), featuring improved aerodynamics.

Exact data on the possible operational range of both bomb types is unknown. Therefore, it is impossible to say whether the Defense Intelligence information refers to both types together or only to one of them.

FAB‑500T bombs fly farther with SW800Pro‑Y

The SW800Pro‑Y turbojet engine manufactured by the Chinese company Swiwin is intended for use in unmanned aerial systems and large aircraft models. Russian forces have also used jet engines from this company in their S8000 “Banderol” cruise missiles.

As for the upgraded UMPK module, the declared flight range of the FAB‑500T has now allegedly “exceeded 100 kilometers” due to improvements to the tail section.

Russia has started launching jet-powered guided bombs with jet engines against Ukrainian cities deeper behind the lines. According to Yurii Ihnat, head of the communications department of Ukraine’s Air Force Command, these weapons have recently appeared over Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Poltava oblasts. Speaking on Suspilne, Ihnat said the bombs are being used in isolated cases as Russia checks how effectively Ukraine’s air defense can react.

This comes amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, during which Russia continues launching dozens or even hundreds of explosive drones daily at Ukrainian cities. Moscow also uses glide bombs capable of striking rear areas not far behind the frontline, such as Kharkiv, Sumy, Kherson, Pokrovsk, and others. In recent attacks, these bombs have reached deeper into Ukrainian territory, hitting areas farther from the combat line.

Ihnat explained that the jet-powered bombs are launched from Su-34 aircraft and share flight parameters with cruise missiles, allowing Ukrainian air defense to target them. On 24 October, Air Command “South” confirmed the interception of two long-range guided bombs, while a third fell in an open field without causing damage. 

Ihnat urged Ukrainians not to panic, noting that the new bombs do not yet pose a major threat. He said Russia is experimenting with many aerial weapons, but Ukraine, together with international partners, continues improving its own defense technology.

Regional authorities in Odesa described the attack as a serious new challenge. Odesa Oblast head Oleh Kiper said such strikes present significant danger to civilians and infrastructure. Still, Ukraine’s forces report no casualties or major destruction from the latest incidents.

Russia expands range and production of longer range guided bombs

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) earlier said that Russia has started serial production of upgraded guided bombs with unified planning and correction modules, known as the Grom-1 and Grom-2. Their strike range reaches 150–200 km.

On 24 October, Russian forces used jet-powered guided bombs against Odesa Oblast for the first time.

Before the Odesa strike, Russia had already used similar weapons in attacks on Mykolaiv on 16 October and on Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast on 18 October. The latter bomb reportedly traveled about 130 km. Ukrainian officials see these strikes as part of Moscow’s efforts to refine new munitions for long-range precision attacks.