Kathrine Frich
A growing number of high-profile misfires and operational blunders have plagued the Kremlin’s forces,
A growing number of high-profile misfires and operational blunders have plagued the Kremlin’s forces,
Russia’s war in Ukraine has dragged into its third year, reshaping Europe’s security landscape and exhausting both sides through brutal attrition, drone warfare, and long-range strikes.
As Ukraine continues to defend its territory with Western support and high-tech countermeasures, Russia’s military strategy has leaned heavily on Soviet-era weaponry refitted for modern battlefields.
But that approach has come at a cost.
Bomb Lands Just 2km From Russian Village
The bomb, aimed at a Ukrainian site just across the border, instead crashed near the Russian village of Ivica in Belgorod.
Fortunately, it did not explode, and no civilians were harmed. Military engineers later removed and destroyed the munition.
Russia’s “Friendly Fire” Fiascos Multiply
This incident is just one in a long string of similar accidents. In April, a bomb from a Russian plane exploded in the village of Tsibulevka, damaging eight homes.
The day before, another fell in front of a civilian’s car, leaving the man injured by shrapnel.
70+ Russian Bombs Have Hit Russia
According to Astra, a Russian independent media channel, at least 70 aerial bombs launched by Putin’s air force this year have landed in either Russian territory or Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.
That number stood at 165 for all of 2024.
Soviet Tech in a Modern War
Russia’s FAB-500 bombs were designed in the Soviet era.
They’ve since been modified with UMPK guidance kits to increase range and allow launches from within Russian airspace, intended to protect jets from Ukrainian air defenses.
But those upgrades haven’t eliminated serious targeting flaws.
Russia’s Air Force Faces Growing Mockery
What’s meant to be a demonstration of precision warfare is instead drawing ridicule.
With bombs regularly falling on the wrong side of the border, Russia’s air force is facing growing scrutiny and global embarrassment.