- Ukraine’s military reported that Russian forces dropped a record 328 guided aerial bombs in a single day, the highest daily total since October 2025.
- The data indicates increased reliance on stand-off glide bomb attacks launched mainly by Su-34 aircraft operating outside Ukrainian air defense range.
Russian aviation dropped a record 328 guided aerial bombs across Ukraine within a single day, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, marking the highest daily use of such weapons since October 17, 2025.
The data, reported by Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi citing official military statements, reflects a sharp escalation in aerial pressure along frontline areas and near populated settlements.
The surge in guided bomb strikes comes amid continued Russian efforts to intensify battlefield pressure while limiting exposure of its aircraft to Ukrainian air defenses. The tactic allows Russian forces to sustain high strike volumes while operating outside the engagement range of many Ukrainian surface-to-air missile systems.
According to the General Staff, Russian forces conducted 103 airstrikes during the reporting period, releasing 328 guided aerial bombs, commonly known as KABs. Ukrainian officials said the figure represents a new daily record since October 2025, when Russian aviation dropped 268 similar munitions in a single day against Ukrainian defensive positions and nearby areas.
Militarnyi reported that the increase demonstrates a growing reliance on stand-off aerial bombardment as Russia attempts to shape battlefield conditions without committing aircraft to contested airspace. Ukrainian military authorities also recorded 148 combat engagements across the front during the same period, indicating sustained ground fighting alongside intensified air operations.
The primary delivery platform for guided aerial bombs remains the Russian Su-34 frontline bomber. Ukrainian officials noted that these aircraft typically release glide bombs from extended distances, allowing crews to avoid entering areas covered by Ukrainian air defense systems. By releasing munitions from stand-off ranges, Russian aviation reduces aircraft losses while maintaining a steady tempo of strikes.
Guided aerial bombs used by Russian forces are modified Soviet-era gravity bombs fitted with guidance and glide kits, enabling longer range and improved accuracy. Once released at altitude, the bombs glide toward targets using satellite navigation or inertial guidance, striking defensive positions, logistics hubs, or urban areas near the front line.
According to Ukrainian military statistics cited by Militarnyi, Russian aviation employed a record 5,717 aerial bombs during January 2026 alone. That figure represents a 26 percent increase compared with December 2025, highlighting a steady expansion in the scale of aerial bombardment operations.
The General Staff further stated that Russian forces launched 8,681 kamikaze drones and conducted 3,483 artillery strikes against Ukrainian military positions and settlements over the same 24-hour period, including 74 attacks carried out using multiple launch rocket systems.