The New Threat: Glide Bombs Over Zaporizhzhia
There was no prior warning, no ominous whistling sound of a missile nor the buzzing of a drone that typically signals an impending Russian strike. Instead, residents experienced a sudden explosion, leaving behind only a smoldering heap of rubble where a small shopping center once thrived. Local officials have reported that the device responsible for this devastating attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia last month was a Russian glide bomb. This marks the first indication, they assert, that Russia is now targeting their city with this formidable weapon.
Since that harrowing incident, glide bombs have become a frequent menace in the city, resulting in over 100 injuries and claiming at least two lives. Experts categorize these weapons as particularly perilous due to their elusive nature, making them challenging to intercept. “They suddenly go boom,” recounted Stanislav, a local retiree, reflecting the community’s heightened anxiety. “We are worried.”
Historically, glide bombs have been employed by Russian forces to bombard Ukrainian frontline positions throughout the ongoing conflict. In recent months, they have also been unleashed against cities situated near the Russian border, such as Kharkiv. However, cities further from the border, like Zaporizhzhia, which were once thought to be beyond the reach of such weaponry, are increasingly becoming targets, according to local officials, residents, and military analysts.
The reasons behind Zaporizhzhia’s newfound vulnerability to glide bomb attacks remain unclear. These bombs, originally unguided Soviet-era munitions, have been retrofitted into long-range precision weapons through the addition of a “guidance kit” that includes small wings and fins. Launched from aircraft typically positioned at a safe distance from Ukrainian air defense systems, these bombs glide towards their intended targets with alarming accuracy.
Many defense experts speculate that Russia has found a way to enhance the range of these glide bombs, enabling them to reach areas like Zaporizhzhia that were previously considered relatively safe from such aerial assaults.