- Russia released images of a new jet-powered glide bomb claimed to have a range of over 150–200 kilometers.
- The weapon, launched from Su-34 aircraft, is intended to strike targets deep inside Ukraine from beyond frontline air defenses.
Russian military-linked Telegram channels have released the first images of what they claim is a new turbojet-powered glide bomb, marking a rare visual confirmation of a weapon type previously reported in battlefield use but never seen publicly.
The release comes amid growing concerns in Ukraine over stand-off munitions targeting critical infrastructure and rear-area positions.
For months, reports had surfaced about a new long-range glide bomb deployed by Russian forces, but without any imagery to confirm the claims. That changed recently when channels affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense shared photographs of a winged bomb equipped with a jet engine. Presumably, they use Chinese short-life turbojet engines Swiwin SW800Pro. The captions described it as a “FAB-500T bomb with UMPK [meaning unified gliding and correction module] and a jet engine, flying at a range of over 150–200 kilometers.”
According to the posts, the munition is launched from Su-34 fighter bombers at high altitude and from beyond the reach of most Ukrainian frontline air defenses. The authors claimed this allows Russian aircraft to engage targets in Ukraine’s deep rear without entering contested airspace. One message stated that targets near Poltava were recently hit by the new bomb.
Ukrainian sources have acknowledged the difficulty in countering these types of weapons. As one of the posts noted in Ukrainian, “This type of weapon currently has few effective countermeasures. Only Buk surface-to-air missile systems can intercept them with partial success, but these cannot cover the full length of the front line and are critically lacking.”
Glide bombs with jet propulsion offer extended range and loitering capability compared to unpowered versions, enabling more flexible strike planning. Their usage also reflects a broader trend in the war: the growing reliance on air-launched, stand-off precision munitions to hit infrastructure, logistics, and command nodes far from the front.
Though the photographs remain unverified by independent sources, their publication appears intended to signal both a new operational capability and a psychological message. The images show a slender munition with foldable wings and what appears to be an engine intake and rear exhaust — consistent with basic designs of powered glide bombs seen in other conflicts.