Russia dropped a record number of guided aerial bombs (KABs) on Ukraine in October according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. Over the month, Russian aircraft released more than 5,328 KABs, the highest monthly total since the beginning of 2025. The Ministry said that in ten months, Russia has already dropped about 40,000 aerial bombs—matching the total number recorded during the entire previous year.

Guided aerial bombs, or KABs, are fitted with aerodynamic surfaces and guidance systems to improve their accuracy against designated targets. Their expanded use, combined with the new UMPK modules, has significantly increased the range and frequency of Russian bomb attacks across Ukraine.

Record month of guided bomb strikes

In October, Russian forces increased the number of guided bomb attacks on Ukrainian territory. According to the Ministry of Defense, over 5,328 KABs were used against Ukrainian troop positions and frontline cities. This figure represents the largest number of guided bombs dropped in a single month since the start of 2025. Officials said the scale of such strikes continues to grow.

Extended-range bombs hit Odesa Oblast earlier for the first time

In late October, Russian forces struck Odesa Oblast with extended-range guided bombs for the first time. Civilian infrastructure was damaged in the attack. Ukrainian media noted that these bombs have greater range and can reach deeper into the region than earlier models, expanding the threat area along the southern front.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that Russian Su-34 aircraft have received new universal glide and correction modules, or UMPKs, for FAB-500T bombs. These devices convert conventional bombs into guided glide munitions capable of traveling over 100 kilometers. The modification allows Su-34 jets to launch strikes from outside the engagement zones of Ukrainian air defense systems.

Updated Iris radar buys crucial minutes to destroy kamikaze drones for the Ukrainian Army. A software upgrade of the Dutch equipment has increased its coverage radius from 5 km to 12 km, Defense Mirror reports. 

This upgrade, developed using feedback from Ukrainian operators and employing artificial intelligence to improve tracking accuracy, can be installed on systems already in service in field conditions.

Irises see earlier — they save lives

Ukrainian officials say up to 80% of battlefield losses on both sides are now caused by drones, making early detection a top defense priority.

The Iris system, developed by Dutch firm Robin Radar and in Ukrainian service since the start of the full-scale invasion, now provides early warning of low-altitude threats thanks to more than a twofold increase in detection range.

Mobility, scale and tactical advantages

Reports say about 200 Iris radars are currently deployed. Each unit weighs around 29 kg, provides 360-degree coverage, and has a base price of €500,000.

Systems are typically mounted on tripods, buildings, or poles to protect energy infrastructure, government facilities, and military bases. The ability to push software updates makes them rapidly scalable and flexible in the field.

Marcel Verdonk, Chief Commercial Officer of Robin Radar, said, “You want to ideally see them at 7–8 km optimum range – and this capability enables just that.” 

Barracuda-500 opens up a new 900 km strike potential for Poland. Manufacturing these missiles would theoretically allow Warsaw to reach Moscow, writes military portal Defence Express.

“The presence of Barracuda-500 in the Polish military’s arsenal would theoretically allow them to strike even Moscow, which lies roughly 900 km from the state border,” the analysts say. 

Can Barracuda-500 production spread fast? 

For now, the discussion concerns producing these missiles only for Poland’s own needs, and does not even touch on the possibility of supplying them to Ukraine, although that scenario is entirely realistic.

In addition, the US Air Force also wants to purchase more than 3,000 Barracuda-500 missiles.

“Ukraine had already expressed interest in the Barracuda-500, which is intended to replace or complement the Tomahawk,” the experts explain.

The missiles were first revealed in autumn 2024, and since then, production has also been rolled out in Taiwan.

“Therefore, looking ahead, it is quite possible that Barracuda-500 production could be established in Ukraine in a relatively short time,” the experts believe. 

The cheap missile ready to strike from fighters or transport planes

“The price of one Barracuda-500 is estimated at $216,500, which is very low for a cruise missile," the experts added. 

Barracuda missiles can be launched from airborne platforms such as the F-15E, F-18E/F, and F-16, and also from any transport aircraft, even an An-26, on Rapid Dragon pallets.