Kathrine Frich
This isn’t the first time Russian bombs have landed off-course.
This isn’t the first time Russian bombs have landed off-course.
Russian Bombs Hit Their Own Territories, Again
The Russian air force has accidentally dropped 94 bombs on occupied Ukrainian land and its own territory since January 2025.
The most recent incident struck the village of Nova Olenivka, damaging four homes.
FAB-500 Bomb Misfires in Nova Olenivka
The latest blunder involved a FAB-500 bomb mistakenly released by a Russian aircraft over Nova Olenivka, a region currently under Kremlin occupation.
The explosion wrecked roofs, cracked walls, and shattered windows, but miraculously, no injuries were reported.
Astra News Breaks the Story
Independent Russian news outlet Astra was first to report the mishap.
Their coverage highlighted the growing pattern of friendly fire incidents involving Russia’s own aviation forces, raising serious questions about military discipline and operational control.
A Dozen Disasters in June Alone
Just in the month of June, at least 10 bombs have unintentionally fallen, eight on occupied Ukrainian land and two inside Russia itself.
These errors suggest systemic issues within the Russian air force’s operations.
Previous Accidents Include Russian Heartland
This isn’t the first time Russian bombs have landed off-course.
On June 11, a similar FAB-500 bomb detonated in a civilian’s garden in Dolgi Kolodiez, a village in Russia’s Kursk region, damaging nearby homes.
Over 150 Incidents in 2024
According to available data, at least 165 bombs were mistakenly dropped in 2024 on Russian-controlled Ukrainian areas and within Russia’s own borders.
The trend points to persistent navigational or mechanical problems with aircraft or munitions systems.
Explosives Continue to Rain on Allies
A growing number of observers are criticizing the Kremlin’s oversight of its air campaigns.
The fact that bombs intended for enemy targets are regularly landing on friendly zones has alarmed both domestic and international audiences.
Questions Mount Over Air Force Competence
Military analysts have begun questioning how such massive errors continue to occur.
Some point to aging Soviet-era aircraft systems, while others cite human error or poor training amid an overstretched campaign.
