If confirmed, it would mark a turning point – putting Ukraine’s rear lines within daily strike range
In recent days, reports have emerged about the deployment of new Russian long-range bombs on the front lines. The deputy head of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, Vadim Skibitsky, stated that during a recent test, a Russian bomb demonstrated a range of 193 kilometers. This significantly expands the operational reach of such weapons and could fundamentally alter the dynamics on the battlefield. Let’s explore this in more detail.
Typically, for a bomb, the distance from the front line to the target is not more than 90 kilometers. However, the bomb mentioned by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence is capable of flying 120-150 kilometers, and can be dropped a considerable distance away from the front line.
Developing such long-range bombs has not been a fast process. The first unified gliding and correction modules (UMPKs) which convert standard bombs into precision-guided munitions initially enabled bombs dropped from altitudes of 10-12 kilometers to travel 40-50 kilometers. This range then increased to 80 kilometers or more with the upgraded UMPK-PD (extended-range version). Now, according to Skibitsky, the new version of the bomb can travel up to 193 kilometers.
What is this new aerial bomb that Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence is talking about? There are three possibilities:
1. The Grom-1/Grom-2 missile-bomb complex: Depending on its configuration, this weapon can function as either a missile or a gliding bomb. Its usage in the Special Military Operation zone has been limited for various reasons. It is possible that this weapon has been enhanced and is now being reintroduced into service.
2. Upgraded Universal Interspecific Glide Munition (UMPB): Specifically, the modernized UMPB-5R variant features a rocket engine that extends its flight range to 130-150 kilometers. Originally, the UMPB served as an analog to the American Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB). The addition of a rocket engine theoretically boosts its already considerable range.
3. A new UMPK-PD with a rocket engine: This variant is also capable of covering around 150 kilometers. The Ukrainian side has shown fragments of UMPKs that allegedly feature an additional booster, but there are no definitive conclusions in this regard.
Evaluating these bombs in terms of large-scale production capabilities, the variants equipped with rocket engines appear to be the most promising. Integrating a rocket engine into the relatively inexpensive UMPK allows for easy adaptation for tactical aviation use without significantly hindering production rates. While the UMPB is more complex and costly than the UMPK, it has long been produced in large quantities and is widely used by the Russian Air Force. In contrast, mass production of the more complex and expensive Grom missile/bomb complex is less probable, though the parallel production and deployment of all these munitions remains possible in varying proportions.
The key takeaway here is not merely the fact that Russian bombs can reach distances of 150-200 kilometers – we have already seen this before. What matters more is that the increase in serial production volumes would enable systematic carpet bombing and precision strikes, effectively erasing the notion of a “safe rear” area for Ukraine.
The deployment of a new, effective mass aerial munition with a range of up to 200 kilometers will significantly increase the number of targets hit each day. It will also allow the Russian army to redistribute the use of other weapons, such as Geran drones or various types of munitions, including expensive cruise missiles.
Moreover, as the enemy’s safety zone shrinks, the safe operating area for Russian Su-34 bomber aircraft will expand. The aircraft will be able to drop the new bombs from even greater distances, thereby reducing the likelihood of entering the range of enemy air defense systems.
