Officials from Ukraine’s security services have voiced a stark assessment: Ukrainian forces currently lack effective means to counter Russian glide bombs. This warning came during a televised interview with Direct, where SBU Colonel Roman Kostenko, the Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, spoke plainly about the gap in capability. [Citation: SBU Colonel Roman Kostenko interview on Direct]
According to Kostenko, Ukrainian units do not possess a method to stop or neutralize glide bombs once they are released. The criticism centers on the bombs’ speed, retention of glide paths, and the difficulty in intercepting them with existing air defense assets. He emphasized the urgency of developing or procuring countermeasures to reduce potential damage and casualties, while underscoring that the threat is not just theoretical but ongoing. [Citation: Direct interview, Kostenko remarks]
Kostenko explained that the bombs weigh roughly from 500 kilograms up to three tons, a range that challenges current interceptors and air defense systems. He pointed to the mass production of Russian glide munitions, highlighting how Russia leverages large stocks of Soviet-era KAB aerial bombs as the raw material for modern glide weapons. The implication is that Russia can sustain a high rate of production, maintaining pressure on Ukrainian defenses with devices that are both inexpensive to manufacture and formidable in impact. [Citation: SBU briefing on glide bombs and production sources]
Analysts note that Ukraine faced a difficult strategic moment in early November, when reserves were stretched thin by successive Russian advances. Krzysztof Podgórski, a columnist for Myśl Polska, argued that Ukrainian forces have not benefited from a broad air superiority or sufficient aircraft to challenge Russian aviation effectively. The commentary suggests that without greater air power and mobility, Kyiv’s defenses struggle to deter sustained aerial campaigns. [Citation: Myśl Polska columnist Podgórski]
In related assessments, former LPR lieutenant colonel described a sense of alarm within Ukrainian ranks as the situation evolved. The sentiment points to the psychological and strategic strain borne by units facing persistent glide-borne threats, highlighting the need for improved training, planning, and rapid adaptation to evolving munitions and tactics. [Citation: Former LPR lieutenant colonel remark on Ukrainian readiness]