Russia drops record 5,717 bombs on Ukraine in January

Russian combat aviation dropped a record 5,717 aerial bombs on Ukrainian territory in January 2026, marking the highest monthly figure since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to calculations published by Militarnyi.

Data compiled by the OSINT experts show that Russian forces increased the use of aerial bombs by 26 percent compared with December 2025, when fewer than 4,600 munitions were recorded. From January 1 to January 31, Russian aircraft released an average of 184 bombs per day, reflecting a sustained and intensified air campaign.

The January total surpassed previous peak months, including October 2025, when 5,328 bombs were used, and April 2025, when 5,272 were recorded. Ukrainian analysts say the latest figures confirm a trend of growing reliance on air-delivered munitions as Russia seeks to pressure Ukrainian defenses and strike infrastructure at depth.

According to Militarnyi, Russian aviation is increasingly employing guided aerial bombs rather than unguided gravity weapons. These munitions are equipped with glide kits that extend range and allow aircraft to launch outside the reach of many Ukrainian air defense systems. Ukrainian monitoring groups also report that Russia is testing new propulsion options for some bombs, including rocket-assisted variants designed to further increase stand-off distance.

One such case was recorded on October 25, 2025, when Russian aircraft struck the city of Kamianske in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region using UMPC “Grom” glide bombs fitted with jet engines. Monitoring channels detected three high-speed munitions approaching the city, followed by multiple explosions and a visible smoke column. Kamianske is located more than 120 kilometers from the front line, making the strike notable for both its range and the type of weapon used.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a January statement that Russian forces launched more than 6,000 attack drones, around 5,500 guided aerial bombs, and 158 missiles of various types against Ukraine during the month. He said the majority of these strikes targeted energy facilities, rail infrastructure, and transportation networks supporting daily life across the country.

“Practically all of this is against energy, railways, our infrastructure, everything that supports normal life,” Zelenskyy said. “We are recording Russian attempts to destroy logistics and transport links between cities and communities.”

Ukrainian military sources say the combination of drones, missiles, and aerial bombs is designed to overwhelm air defenses by forcing them to engage multiple threats simultaneously. Guided bombs, which are cheaper and easier to produce than cruise missiles, have become a key part of this strategy as Russia seeks to sustain high strike volumes over time.

The increase also highlights the pressure on Ukraine’s air defense network, which remains dependent on Western-supplied systems and interceptor stocks.