According to russian media outlet Astra, russian forces have dropped 25 glide bombs on russian territory and temporarily occupied Ukraine so far in 2026. In 2025, there were 143 such instances, and 165 in 2024. On May 16, 2026, russia accidentally discharged a glide munition on a resident's home in Dubovoye village, in Belgorod region, resulting in one fatality, the UK Defence Intelligence reports.
Read more: UK Defence Intelligence: russian Parade Without Armor Signals Kremlin Anxiety Over Ukrainian UAS Attacks
The russian Air Force currently conducts over 200 fighter sorties per day against Ukraine, averaging between 180-250 glide munition launches per day depending on weather conditions.
These instances demonstrate continued errors in russia's ability to successfully employ their munitions on intended targets. Such errors have destructive and lethal consequences for the russian population.
Such incidents likely occur due to a combination of poor procedures when arming the aircraft prior to sorties and poor execution by aircrew during missions. The frequency of these occurrences likely demonstrates a degree of air and ground crew fatigue within russian forces, as well as exposing inadequate military training.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukrainian drone strikes are increasingly targeting russian logistics deep behind the front line, including the strategic M-14 coastal highway linking Crimea with temporarily occupied territories.
Read more: UK Defence Intelligence Reports on New Pressure on Crimea Corridor as Ukraine Targets M-14 Highway
