What are glide bombs and how have they become one of the most important weapons used by Russia in the war in Ukraine?
The Russian army is turning old, soviet-era bombs into “smart bombs” by attaching them to relatively cheap, satellite navigation systems. This allows Russia to use old stockpiles of unguided bombs in a new, more targeted way. Glide bombs are gradually increasing in size and range and have been developed specifically for use in the war in Ukraine.
By analysing one glide bomb attack in Kharkiv, we show how they are now being used in civilian areas in Ukraine and how the threat from glide bombs for other areas in Ukraine is increasing.
