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Russia Has Quietly Upgraded Its Glide Bomb Kits—Here’s How

Russia Has Quietly Upgraded Its Glide Bomb Kits—Here’s How

Russia has begun deploying a more advanced version of its glide bomb system that can now strike targets nearly 100 kilometers from the launch point, expanding the threat range to include all of Kharkiv, Sumy, and areas further south.

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According to Borysenko, the weapons—known as UMPK-PD (Unified Gliding and Correction Module – Extended Range)—were launched from Russia’s Belgorod region using Su-34 fighter bombers, head of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office Spartak Borysenko confirmed to Suspilne on June 3.

“On May 31, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m., four extended-range guided aerial bombs were launched from a Su-34 aircraft near Tomarivka in Russia’s Belgorod region,” Borysenko said.

Russian UMPK-PD-equipped Su-34 carrying four FAB-500M62 bombs, March 2025. (Source: Defense Express)
Russian UMPK-PD-equipped Su-34 carrying four FAB-500M62 bombs, March 2025. (Source: Defense Express)

“This marked the first use of these new modules in the Kharkiv region. We also have operational information suggesting they were used earlier in the Sumy region as well.”

Russian glide bombs are now reaching 95 kilometers

The upgraded glide bomb kits—originally introduced in late 2023—have undergone steady development, with the first known photo of a UMPK-PD-equipped Su-34 surfacing only in March 2025.

The aircraft was seen carrying four FAB-500M62 bombs with visibly larger wings, reinforced mounts, and a more powerful guidance mechanism.

Where earlier UMPK variants had a strike range of 60–80 km, the UMPK-PD kits now reach up to 95 kilometers, Borysenko confirmed.

“If we open a map and look at the launch zone near Tomarivka, you’ll see that any location in Kharkiv is now within reach,” he said.

“We believe they’re still testing this new version. The range may increase even further.”

The bombs are guided via satellite navigation systems and are dropped from an altitude of 9,000 meters. According to investigators, the weapons travel at 700–800 kilometers per hour, matching earlier models in speed and launch altitude.

More range, more risk

The introduction of UMPK-PD significantly changes the tactical environment for both Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Russian pilots can now strike from deeper behind the front lines, reducing the risk to their aircraft. At the same time, longer flight times for the bombs leave them more vulnerable to Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems, which can disrupt or divert their navigation.

To counter this, Russia has enhanced the satellite guidance on the new bombs, reportedly using up to 12 antenna elements in some models of the Kometa-M navigation module—making it harder to jam.

A Su-34 jet of the Russian Army launches a FAB 3000 high-explosive bomb to hit a temporary deployment point of the Ukrainian Army on July 14, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)
A Su-34 jet of the Russian Army launches a FAB 3000 high-explosive bomb to hit a temporary deployment point of the Ukrainian Army on July 14, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)

A low-cost weapon of civilian terror

Military officials stress that the relatively low cost and simplicity of these long-range bombs make them ideal tools of terror rather than precision warfare.

The actual accuracy is secondary to Russian forces, who often strike entire urban areas rather than military targets.

“The enemy is using these relatively cheap bombs not just for battlefield effect but to terrorize civilians,” Borysenko said.

A Su-34 jet of the Russian Army launches a FAB 3000 high-explosive bomb to hit a temporary deployment point of the Ukrainian army on July 14, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)
A Su-34 jet of the Russian Army launches a FAB 3000 high-explosive bomb to hit a temporary deployment point of the Ukrainian army on July 14, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)

“We must continue to treat every air raid warning seriously and seek shelter immediately, as these weapons reach cities like Kharkiv faster than ever before.”

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukrainian forces found an effective counter to Russia’s long-range glide bombs, particularly the notorious UMPK kits used to convert conventional bombs into guided munitions.

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