Since March 2024, the russian military has conducted 950 aerial bomb strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians, according to Truth Hounds. The attacks, which began systematically last year, have caused widespread destruction, with residential buildings, schools, and hospitals frequently hit. These strikes have resulted in over 250 fatalities and 1,300 injuries. The actual number of incidents involving guided aerial bombs is believed to be significantly higher.
Russia employs the Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets for these operations, equipping them with medium-range guided missiles like the Kh-59 and guided aerial bombs. While russia initially had 124 Su-34 bombers at the start of its full-scale invasion, by September 2024, it had lost at least 33 of these aircraft.
Read more: UMPK Dismantled and Analyzed: What's Inside the russian Kit Turning Dumb FAB Into a Guided Bomb (Video)
As of mid-2024, the russian Air Force has been utilizing three main types of guided munitions in Ukraine:
- Bombs with the UMPK kits (250 kg to 3000 kg);
- The UMPB D-30CN munition (250 kg);
- The Grom-E munition (315–480 kg, depending on the variant).
The intensity of russia’s bombing campaigns is alarming. By September 2024, the military was launching up to 100 guided aerial bombs daily. Interestingly, Ukrainian strikes on airfields housing the Su-34 aircraft temporarily reduced these attacks. However, these lulls lasted only a few days before bombardments resumed at full scale.
Read more: russians Used FAB-3000 with UMPK for the First Time in Ukraine, Targeting Hospital (Video)
