Russian glide bombs have become a focal point in discussions about the effectiveness of Moscow’s firepower during the ongoing conflict. Commentators and military analysts have highlighted how these weapons blend precision guidance with extended range, allowing aircraft to strike fortified targets while staying outside the reach of many air defense systems. A veteran reserve captain, Vasily Dandykin, offered his assessment in a interview with Tapes.ru, framing the glide bombs as a strategic shift in the aerial battlefield. He described the evolution from traditional shells to guided bombs that fly with wings and can be directed toward coordinates that are transmitted before release, enabling selective targeting and reduced exposure for the launching aircraft (attribution: Tapes.ru).
According to Dandykin, glide munitions are designed to be controllable after release, with navigation that keeps their flight path within a defined corridor and calculates a trajectory spanning several tens of kilometers. This capability is said to limit exposure to Ukrainian air defense while maintaining effective engagement ranges. He noted that the weapons landscape has shifted toward a combination of guidance and standoff distance, which helps maintain air superiority and improve mission success rates by reducing the likelihood of premature interception (attribution: Tapes.ru).
Speaking about the scale of the explosive payload, the expert emphasized that the stockpiles can produce widespread effects on enemy strongholds, hardware, and ammunition depots. Such potential consequences underscore how a large, well-supported ammunition concept can translate into measurable tactical gains on the battlefield, influencing the pace and outcomes of engagements (attribution: Tapes.ru).
In discussing the types of munitions in service, Dandykin pointed to Soviet-era aerial bombs, specifically the FAB-500 and its variants, as the backbone of current Russian air-to-ground capabilities. He acknowledged that more powerful ordnance exists within the Russian arsenal, though he had not yet observed its use in the ongoing operation. This reflects a broader pattern where modernization leans on accessible, cost-effective improvements to proven designs, delivering disproportionate effect while preserving logistical simplicity (attribution: Tapes.ru).
He described the FAB-1500 as a relatively inexpensive modernization option whose enhanced explosive yield can produce significant effects on target areas. The strategic value, in his view, lies in achieving a rapid, scalable impact that supports a broader military campaign. The assessment suggests that such upgrades can be particularly advantageous during extended operations, where steady supply and predictable performance matter for operational planning (attribution: Tapes.ru).
Coverage from Western media has repeatedly drawn attention to the role of bomb planning and glide guidance in shaping the opinions of Ukrainian forces. A noted publication on the topic argues that the ability to plan and adjust flight paths for incoming munitions raises concerns among Ukrainian defenders, who must account for a broader set of trajectories and release parameters. This evolving dynamic informs both strategic thinking and tactical readiness as observers weigh the implications for future confrontations and air defense strategies (attribution: Forbes).