Russian forces have used a newly developed guided aerial bomb for the first time in a strike against Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials.
The attack, carried out by a Su-34 bomber, hit civilian targets in the city of Kharkiv with two UMPB-5 precision-guided munitions fired from approximately 100 kilometers away.
The strike, launched from near the settlement of Stroitel in Russia’s Belgorod region, struck a civilian industrial facility and a residential neighborhood, igniting fires and damaging parked vehicles, according to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Ukrainian media outlet Militarnyi reported that 33 people were injured in the attack, including four children. Among them were a 10-year-old girl, a 28-day-old infant, and a pregnant woman, all of whom suffered acute stress reactions. A 17-year-old boy and girl received blast injuries, local authorities said. Medical personnel are currently treating all the victims.
According to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the UMPB-5 munition carries a 250-kilogram warhead, similar in weight to standard high-explosive aviation bombs. However, officials noted that the munition’s warhead casing is made of thicker metal than earlier Russian air-launched glide bombs, such as the UMPB D-30.
“In the UMPB-5, the warhead weighs 250 kilograms, comparable to a standard high-explosive bomb,” a representative of the Prosecutor’s Office said. “But it is encased in a thicker metal shell than the UMPB D-30, which contributed to more severe injuries among civilians.”
Officials said the strike pattern and distance suggest the weapon is designed for use beyond the reach of most Ukrainian air defenses. The development of standoff strike capabilities allows Russian aircraft to engage targets without entering Ukrainian-controlled airspace, complicating interception efforts.
The guided bombs reportedly combine aerodynamic control surfaces and inertial navigation systems for improved accuracy. Ukrainian defense analysts say this allows the munition to glide toward its target after release, extending its range while maintaining high destructive capability.
This is the first confirmed use of the UMPB-5 munition in combat. Ukrainian authorities say the choice of targets—an industrial site and a residential area—suggests that the new weapon is not being limited to battlefield use but is also being directed at civilian infrastructure.
Prosecutors emphasized the broader impact of the strike, noting the emotional trauma suffered by children and families. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident under Ukrainian criminal law covering war crimes and the targeting of civilian populations.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces and regional civil defense services responded to the aftermath of the attack, securing the damaged areas and providing aid to affected civilians.
Ukrainian officials have called on international partners to expand support for air defense systems capable of countering new threats like the UMPB-5.