A new weapons system threatens to change the course of the war in Ukraine, according to experts.
Russian fighter jets are employing so-called « glide bombs », which are equipped with wings to give them an extended range and can fly below radar-controlled air defences. Their range varies drastically but more are fired over a distance of approximately 30 to 45 miles.
The bombs came under the spotlight after one was accidentally dropped on the Russian city of Belgorod, injuring at least three people and damaging several buildings.
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Speaking to the Telegraph, Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Air Force, warned that the bombs posed a “very serious threat”.
The gliding technology means that Russian jets can avoid flying to clsoe to the front lines to fire their weapons.
Colonel Ihnat said: « At the moment the enemy is using tactical aviation for combat missions along the border with Russia, the front line, and the sea coast. In all those regions the enemy has for about a month been intensely using glide bombs. »
Ukrainian officials estimate that Moscow is firing at least 20 glide bombs per day on the battlefield, causing Western and Ukrainian analysts to suggest that Kyiv may need to rethink its military strategy in order to deter the new threat.
Surface-to-air missile defence systems, such as the US-supplied Patriot, have the capability to tackle the glide bombs, but are extremely expensive to use – each missile comes at a cost of approximately $4 million (£3.1 million).
Col Ihnat says that the most effective deterrent would be Western-supplied fighter jets such as the F-16.
“Just one or two would be enough to deter them, because the Russians would see that a couple of these things are in the air and they would avoid approaching,” he said.
The Ukranian airforce is currently relying on aging models like the Sukhoi Su-27s and MiG-29.
Western nations have so far refused to provide fighter jets to Ukraine despite repeated pleas from President Zelensky.
But if Russia gains air superiority in the conflict, it could greatly reduce Ukraine‘s chances of winning in the war.
With jets off the cards for now, Ukraine will have to utilise high-mobility warfare to thwart Russia‘s airpower.
“This means, for example, scattering troops widely when not in combat but being able to bring them together fast when needed, » Justin Crump, a military analyst, told the Telegraph.
“Dispersion and rapid concentration of force is vital in this environment.”
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