Russian Air Force Modernizes Devastating Soviet-Era Weapons in Ukraine Conflict

Key Takeaways

• The Russian air force has significantly increased activity using retrofitted 21st-century glide bombs, causing vast destruction to Ukrainian forces and infrastructure.
• These glide bombs, capable of carrying up to 1.5 tonnes of explosives, have left Ukrainian forces with practically no countermeasures, resulting in devastating effects on their positions.
• The scarcity of air defense weapons in Ukraine has been highlighted as a pressing issue, and the delay in military aid from European countries and the US Congress is exacerbating the situation.
• Russia's intensified use of glide bombs is turning the tide of the war in its favor, impacting soldiers' morale and contributing to tactical victories.
• The future success of Ukraine on the battlefield hinges on its ability to defend against glide bombs, emphasizing the urgent need for additional support from the US and its allies.

News Content

The Russian air force has modernized Soviet-era weapons, turning them into guided air bombs that are devastating Ukrainian forces and towns. These retrofitted bombs can now be launched by Russian bombers deep inside Ukraine, out of reach of Ukrainian air-defense systems, leaving behind massive destruction. Ukrainian analysts have called them a major threat with practically no countermeasures, leading to a 16-fold increase in attacks this year. The shortage of air defense weapons is attributed to delays in European military aid and a withheld $60bn package from the US Congress.

The ongoing conflict has escalated to include mass glide-bomb strikes and airstrikes on energy facilities and civilian infrastructure, plunging cities into darkness and threatening destruction. The usage of glide bombs has shifted the tide in Russia's favor, impacting soldiers' morale and prompting orders to retreat from key battlegrounds. As Russia continues to ramp up production and modernize these devastating weapons, Ukraine's ability to defend against them becomes crucial, necessitating prompt and substantial support from the US and its allies.

Analysis

The modernization of Soviet-era weapons by the Russian air force into guided air bombs has caused devastation in Ukrainian forces and towns. The shortage of air defense weapons, attributed to delayed military aid, has led to a 16-fold increase in attacks, impacting soldiers' morale and prompting retreat from key battlegrounds. This escalation has plunged cities into darkness, threatening destruction, and shifted the conflict in Russia's favor. The long-term consequence is an urgent need for substantial support from the US and its allies, as Russia continues to ramp up production and modernize these devastating weapons. The future development predicts an intensified arms race and a heightened need for advanced defense strategies.

Do You Know?

• Retrofitted Bombs as Guided Air Bombs: The Russian air force has modernized old Soviet-era weapons, converting them into guided air bombs capable of precise targeting. These updated bombs can be launched from Russian bombers deep within Ukraine, beyond the reach of Ukrainian air-defense systems, causing significant destruction.

• Mass Glide-Bomb Strikes: The ongoing conflict has seen an escalation in mass glide-bomb strikes, targeting energy facilities and civilian infrastructure, leading to widespread devastation and plunging cities into darkness. The usage of these devastating weapons has shifted the tide in Russia's favor, impacting soldier morale and prompting retreat from key battlegrounds.

• Impact on Ukraine's Defense: As Russia continues to increase production and modernize these weapons, Ukraine's ability to defend against them becomes crucial. There is a pressing need for prompt and substantial support from the US and its allies to aid Ukraine in countering these devastating weapons.