Late on September 22, Russian forces launched a series of airstrikes on Zaporizhzhia, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential areas with upgraded guided bombs.
According to the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration (RMA), at least seven airstrikes were carried out in the city and its surrounding district, resulting in significant destruction and casualties.
The attacks damaged over 40 apartment buildings, social infrastructure, and other key facilities in two districts of Zaporizhzhia. “The Russian military hit a civilian infrastructure site and residential areas,” said Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia RMA.
More than 20 people were injured, and one person was killed in the strikes, with four others wounded. Local media Suspilne Zaporizhzhia reported that homes in the private sector were partially destroyed or severely damaged. Emergency services responded immediately to assist victims and assess the extent of the damage.
Russian forces used FAB-500T bombs fitted with upgraded UMPK-series glide kits to carry out the strikes. These precision-guided bombs were launched from a distance, allowing Russian aircraft to target areas far from the frontlines. The Unified Gliding and Correction Module (UMPK) consists of a wing kit and guidance system that can be attached to various free-fall bombs, transforming them into guided munitions capable of reaching targets up to 100 kilometers away.
The UMPK system, which increases the bomb’s range and accuracy, has been a key feature in recent Russian air operations. The latest version of the module includes larger wings that extend to the tail section, improving the bomb’s gliding capability.
While most of the bombs reached their targets, one FAB-500T bomb, equipped with the UMPK system, was found unexploded outside the city, likely due to a failure in the guidance mechanism.
The use of modernized weapons such as the UMPK-equipped bombs highlights Russia’s ongoing efforts to increase the precision and lethality of its strikes deep into Ukrainian territory.