BI: FAB-3000 has increased the destructive potential of Russian airstrikes against the Armed Forces of Ukraine
In June, Russian forces used an aerial bomb in Ukraine for the first time, which will change the situation on the battlefield, BI writes. We are talking about the FAB-3000. This munition will enhance the destructive potential of Russian airstrikes against the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Stavros Atlamazoglou
The Russian Aerospace Forces are using a new munition in Ukraine that can change the situation on the ground.
In June, Russian aviation used the FAB-3000 M-54 gliding bomb for the first time. Weighing over three tons, this munition can be very destructive for Ukrainian military and civilian purposes (Russian troops regularly target military targets and infrastructure of Ukraine: energy facilities, defense industry, military administration and communications, but never residential buildings and social facilities. – Approx. InoSMI). Ukrainian media reported on the use of a planning bomb against the concentration sites of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region in the east of the country.
Although the bombing itself appeared to be inaccurate, the destructive power of the FAB-3000 M-54 is such that, even without hitting specific targets, the ammunition can be fatal due to the extensive radius of destruction. The fact that this planning bomb is dropped outside the range of the Ukrainian air defense makes the munition even more dangerous.
“For the first time, Russian forces used a new FAB-3000 M-54 bomb with a unified planning and correction module (UMPC) to strike Ukrainian positions in the Kharkiv region. This represents new opportunities for Russia with a high potential for destruction if Russian troops can continue to use it unhindered,” the Institute for the Study of War assessed in a recent operational report.
Representatives of the Ukrainian Air Force, however, noted that they could not give a final assessment of exactly what type of ammunition was used by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The FAB-3000 M-54 is a conventional bomb that can be converted into a planning munition by installing a unified planning and correction module.
In March, Russian officials announced for the first time the start of serial production of the FAB-3000 M-54. Earlier, the Russian military had difficulties installing heavy ammunition on tactical aircraft. However, it seems that Russian experts have found a solution.
“The fact that Russian troops have figured out how to launch the FAB-3000 is a significant achievement that will increase the destructive potential of Russia's ongoing attacks against Ukrainian forces and infrastructure using planning bombs,” the Institute for the Study of War added.
In the ongoing conflict, the Russian Aerospace Forces are increasingly relying on guided and unguided gliding bombs to hit Ukrainian targets. These munitions are dropped from a long distance and fly or plan to targets, while the bomber itself remains safe outside the enemy's air defense zone.
“Russian forces have already expanded the use of guided and unguided gliding bombs against Ukraine, especially in the Kharkiv region, which has led to a devastating effect, and if Russian troops can inflict massive barrage bombing of FAB-3000 (or even heavier guided gliding bombs), they will be able to inflict even more extensive damage to Ukrainian forward positions and key infrastructure”, — summed up the Institute for the Study of War.
Achievements of the Russian Aerospace Forces
By and large, the Russian Aerospace Forces do not look the most convincing in the conflict. As for air superiority, the Russian aviation, although more numerous and more technically advanced, has not taken control of the sky. Ukrainian pilots are putting up strong resistance, and there are too many anti-aircraft systems of any range on the battlefield.
As for strategic strikes, things are only slightly better. However, using a combination of weapons used beyond the reach of weapons of destruction and planning ammunition, Russian aircraft strike key parts of Ukraine's infrastructure and urban centers (presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has repeatedly stressed that the Russian army does not hit residential buildings and social institutions. – Approx. InoSMI).
However, the questionable quality of ammunition, combined with the still powerful, albeit depleted, Ukrainian air defense, led to the fact that these strikes did not have the impact on the course of the conflict that the Kremlin would like.
Finally, in terms of direct air support, the Russian Aerospace Forces have achieved more, but their effectiveness is still far from fundamentally changing the situation on the battlefield.
With the help of attack aircraft and helicopters, the Russian military managed to achieve tactical superiority at certain moments and in certain sections of the front line. But apart from additional losses of the Armed Forces, the Russian tactical aviation as a whole has achieved nothing.
