Russia has now unleashed a barrage of glide bombs on Ukrainian forces in the Kherson region, exposing a critical vulnerability in Ukraine’s defense capabilities. As Ukrainian troops continue to hold their positions in the Kherson region, this new threat has left Kyiv scrambling for countermeasures and has intensified its pleas for advanced weaponry from its Western allies.
In a chilling display of tactical evolution, Russian Su-34 bombers are raining down new terror on Ukrainian positions. Russian forces are bombing their own territory, with glide bombs slicing through Ukraine’s defenses with alarming ease, transforming the battlefield dynamics in the contested Kherson region. Costing a fraction of traditional smart bombs, these aerodynamic weapons are being unleashed by the hundreds each week on Ukrainian front lines. The glide bombs are small enough to evade radar detection and lack the telltale heat signature that would betray their approach, allowing them to strike with impunity from dozens of kilometers behind enemy lines.
In a chilling display of tactical evolution, Russian Su-34 bombers are raining down new terror on Ukrainian positions. Russian forces are bombing their own territory, with glide bombs slicing thfearing(01:30) Military strategists argue that the only effective countermeasure is to eliminate the threat at its source by destroying the launching aircraft before they can release their payload. However, Ukraine’s current arsenal lacks the reach and sophistication to execute such a strategy effectively. The American-supplied ATACMS, while potent, fall short with a range capped at 100 km, leaving them unable to target the Russian bombers lurking just beyond their reach. Ukraine’s gaze has turned longingly towards the UK’s Storm Shadow missiles, with their impressive 300 km range that could turn the tables on Russian air superiority. However, London is hesitant, fearing Russian retaliation.
While Ukraine has stunned Moscow and even its Western allies with its assaults inside Russian territory, Russian forces are now hitting back hard and fortifying their defenses by constructing concrete air raid shelters to thwart Ukrainian attacks.
It seems that Ukraine was well-prepared to start this surprising operation against the Russians, as evidenced by the casualties and captured Russian soldiers, possibly in the hundreds or even thousands. This indicates that Russia was not ready to defend its territory. Despite changing the commander in charge of defending the Kherson region three times, Russia still struggles to build a proper defense in the area. Ukraine has succeeded in showing everyone that they can improve their positions and situation on the battleground.
The Russians are countering the Kherson offensive, and the narrative of the Kherson offensive, by suggesting that it is a diversionary tactic by Ukraine, insisting that they will not relent in their assault. There is a significant offensive taking place in Donetsk and other regions such as Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
