“These are guided bombs with wings that can travel tens of kilometers,” warned Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat in March 2023, highlighting a change in the aerial strike power of Russia. The weapons he was talking about UPAB-1500BE precision glide bombs were never intended for Ukraine’s battlegrounds. Originally produced for Kazakhstan, they were seized by the Russian Ministry of Defence in late 2022 and used against Ukrainian strongpoints.
UPAB-1500BE, or K029BE, is a 1,500-kilogram class of munition that is used to destroy deeply buried and fortified structures like command posts, railroad bridges, and bunkers. Its unconventional aerodynamic shape has a high-aspect ratio cruciform folding wing such that the bomb can glide up to 50 kilometers when dropped from altitudes of 15 kilometers. Fitted with an INS/GLONASS guidance system, it has a claimed Circular Error Probability of only 10 meters. This stand-off feature allows launch platforms principally the Su-34 fighter-bomber to attack rear-area targets from outside the engagement envelope of many Ukrainian air defense systems.
Their combat operational debut occurred following Russia’s retreat from Kherson in November 2022, when 23 units had already reached frontline units for shipment, with a further 27 to be delivered. In March 2023, they were confirmed used in attacks on Chernihiv region facilities and in the leveling of Kherson’s regional administration building. The destructive capability of the bombs has been well-documented in such cities as Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and Vovchansk, where glide bomb strikes have destroyed apartment buildings and leveled public infrastructure.
The selection of delivery platform is vital to their use. The Su-34 Fullback, twin-engine fighter-bomber with a capacity of up to 18,000 pounds of payload, has been widely utilized in this capacity. Its reinforced cockpit and electronic warfare countermeasures afford some survivability against ground fire, but the losses have been considerable at least 39 Su-34s destroyed since February 2022. The Su-35S Flanker-E, Russia’s most capable 4++ generation fighter, has also been employed to deliver glide bombs, utilizing its high-powered N035 Irbis-E radar and supermaneuverability to fight in contested airspace. In a high-profile 24 March 2023 raid, a group of ten Su-35Ss launched up to 11 glide bombs, as well as Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, against border villages in Sumy province.
To safeguard these valuable aircraft, Russia has resorted to electronic countermeasure systems initially produced for foreign customers. In spring 2022, four L-265M10-02 Khibiny-M ECM suites, which were manufactured to fulfill an Egyptian Su-35 export order, were re-directed to Russian forces. Integrated into the Su-35S, the Khibiny-M mixes radar warning receivers, DRFM jammers, and decoy dispensers to reduce the tracking and targeting effectiveness of the hostile air defenses. These systems became a necessity after Russia’s first attempt at disarming Ukrainian air defenses with only a cruise missile attack was unsuccessful, compelling tactical aviation to fly under perpetual threat.
The pressure to deploy effective ECM was increased by the cancellation of trials for the new L-420-02 Khibiny-U system. Test aircraft meant for testing were sent straight into combat, bringing the program’s development phase to a halt. This failure now leaves the Su-35S to rely on the older Khibiny-M, whose performance, although proven, might not be as good as the growing sophistication of Western-supplied Ukrainian air defense networks.
Technologically, the re-deployment of export-configured defense systems and munitions demonstrates the design modularity and flexibility of Russian air aerospace weaponry. The wing assembly and guidance kit of the UPAB-1500BE can be added to existing bomb casings, converting a gravity weapon into a precision stand-off munition at relatively low expense a vital consideration with Russia’s depleted supply of cruise and ballistic missiles. Similarly, the Khibiny-M’s architecture allows rapid installation on airframes without extensive redesign, enabling swift augmentation of survivability.
Strategically, these actions both demonstrate the strength and the stress in Russia’s military-industrial complex. Redirecting weapons from foreign orders jeopardizes export prestige, but it creates near-term battlefield strength. The coupling of deep strike precision and electronic warfare protection has increased the range of Russian tactical airpower, but continued attrition of delivery platforms the Su-34s, the Su-35Ss emphasizes the weakness of non-stealth airframes in contemporary integrated air defense environments.
