Kathrine Frich
Fighting along Ukraine’s southern front has intensified sharply.
The scale of the bombardment marks a new phase in pressure on frontline towns.
Military commanders say the assault combined air power and drones in a way not previously seen over such a short period.
Bombing surge
Ukraine recorded a record number of Russian glide bomb attacks over a single day, according to Ukrainian military officials.
Vadym Voloshin, speaking to Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne, said Russian aircraft dropped 106 KAB guided aerial bombs within a 24-hour period.
The strikes targeted settlements and positions held by Ukrainian defence forces in southern Ukraine.
Voloshin described the figure as the highest recorded so far in the region.
Pressure near Hulyaipol
The heaviest pressure was reported around the city of Hulyaipol and nearby towns.
Voloshin said Russian forces maintained constant assault intensity while increasing the use of first-person view drones.
In one afternoon alone, Ukrainian forces recorded about 1,800 FPV drone attacks, he said.
According to Voloshin, Russian units are attempting to bypass Hulyaipol from the north in an effort to cut the city off from key supply routes.
Stalled advances
Despite the heavy firepower, Ukrainian officials say Russian troops have made no significant progress south of Hulyaipol.
“The enemy continues to conduct the same number of combat engagements and assaults. The number of FPV drones used has increased slightly,” Voloshin said.
“Over the past 24 hours, a record number of aerial bombs were used – 106 KABs flew over settlements and positions of the Ukrainian defence forces,” he added.
About KAB bombs
KAB-series bombs vary in size depending on the model.
One of the most widely used variants, the KAB-500, weighs around 500 kilograms and is based on the FAB-500 unguided bomb design.
The KAB-500L version uses laser guidance and carries about 450 kilograms of explosive material.
Precision weapon
These bombs are designed for high-precision strikes, with reported accuracy of up to seven metres. They can be deployed from aircraft such as the Su-24 and MiG-27.
According to open-source specifications, KAB bombs can be released from altitudes between 500 and 5,000 metres and at speeds ranging from 550 to 1,100 kilometres per hour.
Once locked onto a target, the guidance system operates in a so-called “fire and forget” mode.
Sources: Suspilne, Ukrainian military officials, WP.
