Department of Strategic Security and Military Research and Studies 25-09-2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address the United Nations General Assembly, aiming to secure continued international backing in the lead-up to the U.S. elections. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry reports that its troops have captured the villages of Hostre and Hryhorivka, located in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine.

As tensions rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to lead a Security Council meeting focused on nuclear deterrence. The Kremlin is deliberating its response to Ukraine’s requests for Western permission to strike deep into Russian territory using long-range missiles. Additionally, Kremlin officials have warned that Zelenskyy’s plan to compel Russia into peace negotiations could prove to be a critical error with significant repercussions for Kyiv.

Russia’s Use of Guided Bombs in Ukraine

Russia has increasingly deployed guided bombs against Ukrainian forces and urban areas near the front lines. According to President Zelenskyy, Moscow’s forces dropped over 900 of these bombs last week.

What are guided bombs?

Guided bombs are typically older munitions that have been modified with wings and satellite-guided navigation systems to enhance their range and accuracy. Often referred to as “glide bombs,” they are less expensive and more readily available than ballistic or cruise missiles. These bombs, weighing between 500kg and 3,000kg (1,100-6,600 pounds), are typically launched from beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defenses, and their destructive capacity can obliterate heavily fortified positions.

Where have they been used?

Russia began significantly increasing its use of guided bombs earlier this year during its mission on the now-destroyed city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. These weapons were instrumental in a Russian cross-border last May in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Recently, guided bombs were also used in strikes on Kharkiv city, killing seven people in an attack on a residential building, with another 21 injured in a separate strike on an apartment block. The northeastern Sumy region has also been a target, including its regional capital.

How can Ukraine defend against them?

Military experts suggest that Ukraine’s most effective defense is to target the aircraft launching the bombs, as intercepting the bombs mid-flight is considerably more difficult.