Photo appeared online showing Belarusian Air Force Su-30SM with aviation bomb with UMPK kit visible for first time — same kits rashists have been actively using to strike Ukrainian frontline cities for years.
In Belarus they attempted to conceal having UMPK kits in their arsenal, blurring aviation bomb itself on Su-30SM pylon. However even so, on photo one can still clearly see characteristic UMPK shapes attached to aviation bomb.
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Currently unknown for certain whether this is original russian-manufactured UMPK kit or similar own Belarusian development. But considering russia is Belarus's main weapons supplier, likely this is specifically the first variant.
Additionally, no reports about Belarus developing similar kits appeared. Instead, since beginning of this year, russian sources periodically feature information about Belarus plans to adapt UMPK-equipped aviation bombs on its Su-30SMs.
With UMPK-equipped aviation bombs appearing on Belarusian Su-30SMs, question may arise whether Belarus in case of entering war against Ukraine could strike with glide bombs directly at Kyiv, which is located relatively close to border.
To answer this question, first need to determine distance from Kyiv to Belarusian border. From nearest border point to nearest Kyiv outskirts, distance is over 80 kilometers, while to potential launch areas where Su-30SMs could fly relatively safely, over 100 km — similar to situation with Dnipro, which is approximately same distance from front line.
Maximum flight range of aviation bomb with UMPK kit strongly depends on release altitude as well as carrier speed itself. But most frequently for standard FABs with UMPK, maximum engagement range up to 80 km is cited.
Therefore such guided bombs spotted on Su-30SM likely simply will not reach Kyiv even when launched directly from border. However, russian arsenal contains guided aviation bombs with turbojet engines that have 150-200 km range.
They could theoretically already reach Kyiv, for which it would not even be necessary to fly close to border. However, no evidence exists whether Belarus has such glide bombs.
Also worth considering Belarus currently has in service only 16 Su-30SM and Su-30SM2 fighters. Other combat aviation is represented by several dozen MiG-29, Su-27 and Su-25, and previously russians did not employ UMPK-equipped aviation bombs from these aircraft.
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