Russia's new guided bombs cause heavy damage to Ukraine on the front line

FAB-1500 - a new, improved guided bomb from the Soviet era.

Since last September, Russian military bloggers have begun mentioning the FAB-1500 while its accuracy was still under testing. Fighterbomber – a unit closely associated with the Russian military – noted that after months of testing and errors, an FAB-1500 had for the first time accurately hit its combat target.

Thanks to the support of a newly added wing system combined with a navigation system, the FAB-1500 guided bomb has increased range and accuracy. Nearly half of the 1.5 tons in the FAB-1500 is high explosive. The bomb is launched by fighter aircraft from an altitude of about 60-70 km, beyond the range of most Ukrainian air defenses.

A guided bomb with underwings beneath a Su-34. Photo: Russian Air Force.

Russia is using the FAB-1500 as a tool to flatten Ukraine's defenses. According to Joseph Trevithick, who writes about the bomb's development for TheWarZone, these bombs offer a new long-range attack option with devastating destructive power against many Russian tactical jets, while also allowing pilots to stay away from enemy defenses.

Recent videos from the front lines in the Donetsk region have shown the immense power of the FAB-1500 bombs as they strike factories and towers – places where Ukrainian forces are coordinating their defenses.

A soldier from Ukraine's 46th Airborne Brigade said that Russian forces had intensified their attack on the frontline town of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk and begun using air force equipment, particularly FAB-1500 bombs. These bombs put immense pressure on the morale of Ukrainian soldiers.

According to this soldier, the level of damage caused by the FAB-1500 is very serious. Ukrainian soldiers are more or less familiar with the FAB-500, but the FAB-1500 is too terrifying for them, and not everyone can withstand it.

The use of FAB bombs became a key element in the Russian offensive in the Donetsk region, particularly in leveling Ukrainian defenses around Avdiivka, which fell in February.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yury Ihnat said: "Before and during the Battle of Avdiivka, Russia launched hundreds of bombs in just a few days. In just 48 hours, as many as 250 of them were launched in the direction of Avdiivka."

Low cost due to massive supply.

During the Soviet era, the FAB-1500 was the most powerful in the "dumb bomb" (unguided bomb) family. At a factory of Russia's Tactical Missile Corporation (KTRV) near Moscow, this bomb is being modified into a low-cost but high-explosive missile version.

Inside a building damaged by shelling in Donetsk. Photo: AFP

Senior researcher Justin Bronk at the Royal United Services Institute in London (UK) said that although Russia is having difficulty producing the wingkits for the FAB-1500, they have the advantage of possessing a large quantity of basic explosives, creating a powerful firepower that will inflict casualties on Ukraine.

According to Bronk, the cost of producing the FAB-1500 is much lower than the millions of dollars spent on a missile. "Compared to a missile, the bomb only costs a cent," he remarked.

Last January, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu visited the factory, where wing systems are being developed for the FAB-1500 bomb. KTRV reported that the old free-fall bombs have been upgraded into guided bombs capable of gliding to their targets.

According to Bronk, Russia's development of new guided bombs has given its tactical air force a greater advantage on the battlefield. The factory director proudly reported to Shoigu that the production output of the new guided bombs had increased by 40% due to the factory switching to 24/7 operation.

A stalemate for Ukrainian air defenses.

Bronk noted that the improved FAB bomb could only be used to attack fixed targets. But this drawback did not seem to be a disadvantage for the Russians, as they were generally familiar with Ukraine's key defensive positions on the eastern front.

However, Russian aircraft launching FAB-1500 bombs are not invulnerable. In recent weeks, the Ukrainian air force has claimed to have shot down several Su-34 fighter jets. But with the aircraft at a distance of about 70 km, most Ukrainian air defenses do not have sufficient range to shoot them down.

"Our air defenses are getting stronger, but it's still not enough. Russia's goal isn't just to strike frontline positions. Their guided bombs fly further behind the defenders to hit ammunition depots and logistical command centers," spokesman Ihnat said.

Ihnat stated that with the FAB-1500 bomb deployed on the battlefield, Russian Su-35 and Su-34 attack bombers would no longer need to approach their targets closely. "However, if we had additional long-range air defenses, we would be able to shoot down these jets from a greater distance from the front lines," Ihnat added.

Final bomb checks before a Su-34 fighter-bomber takes off on March 8. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense

Meanwhile, Bronk argues that the US Patriot system is almost the only defense system with sufficient range to counter the FAB-1500. However, the Ukrainian military has only a limited number of Patriots. Furthermore, the missiles used by the Patriots are in short supply due to the US Congress delaying additional military aid to Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials are requesting, almost daily, longer-range air defense weapons to counter the growing Russian air power. Furthermore, the F-16 fighter jets that Ukrainian pilots are currently training with are unlikely to fly over Ukrainian airspace until the latter half of this year.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces on the front lines, particularly in Donetsk, are facing frequent Russian airstrikes, sometimes exceeding 100 per day, according to the Ukrainian General Staff.

Similar to previous instances of heavy artillery bombardment targeting Ukrainian positions, Russian forces are now employing an inexhaustible supply of heavy guided bombs to neutralize Ukraine's defenses.

Hoai Phuong (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bom-dan-duong-moi-cua-nga-gay-thiet-hai-nang-ne-cho-ukraine-tren-chien-tuyen-post287475.html