The simplicity of the glide bomb kit has enabled mass production, with Russia reportedly manufacturing thousands monthly at a tiny fraction of the cost of missiles like the Kh-101.
The Russian Air Force has been pounding their Ukrainian rivals in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. At the forefront of this air war is Russia’s upgraded FAB-500 glide bombs, which have transformed Russia’s strike capabilities since the full-scale invasion in 2022.
These assets—usually launched from the Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces—enable precise, long-range attacks on Ukrainian fortifications, cities, and military positions, often launched from the safety of Russian airspace. As of 2025, thousands of such munitions have been deployed, reshaping the conflict’s dynamics in regions like Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kursk.
What to Know About Russia’s Su-34 Fullback Fighter-Bomber
- Year Introduced: 2014
- Number Built: ~160
- Length: 23.34 m (76 ft 7 in)
- Height: 6.1 m (20 ft)
- Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
- Weight:
- 22,500 kg (49,604 lb) empty
- 45,100 kg (99,428 lb) MTOW
- Engines: Two Saturn AL-31FM1 afterburning turbofan engines (30,000 lbf)
- Top Speed: 1,900 km/h (1,200 mph)
- Range: 1,100 km (680 mi) combat range
- Service Ceiling: 17,000 m (56,000 ft)
- Loadout: One 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon; 12 hardpoints for bombs / missiles
- Aircrew: 2
The Su-34, a twin-engine, all-weather tactical bomber derived from the Su-27 Flanker, entered Russian service in 2014 and has become a cornerstone of Moscow’s air operations in Ukraine.
Nicknamed the “Fullback,” it boasts a combat radius of over 1,000 kilometers, advanced avionics for low-level penetration, and the ability to carry up 12,000 kilograms of ordnance on 12 hardpoints. In the Ukraine War, Su-34s have conducted thousands of sorties, focusing on close-air support (CAS) and deep strikes against Ukrainian defenses.
Despite a handful of losses over Ukraine, the Su-34 fleet has grown throughout the war as new jets are added, with reports indicating over 140 aircraft in service by mid-2025. The Fullback excels in glide bomb missions, often carrying four FAB-500s simultaneously, released from altitudes up to 10,000 meters (32,800 ft). Their armored cockpit and electronic warfare suites give them a measure of protection against man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), allowing operations in contested airspace such as the skies over Ukraine.
Of course, vulnerabilities persist. Ukrainian drones destroyed four Su-34s at Marinovka airbase in June, underscoring the risks of basing near the frontlines. Despite such setbacks, the Su-34’s reliability has enabled Russia to sustain high-tempo bombing campaigns, targeting everything from troop concentrations to urban infrastructure.
Russia’s FAB-500 Glide Bomb Is Deadly—and Incredibly Cheap
The FAB-500, a 500-kilogram high-explosive bomb dating back to the Soviet era, was originally a freefall munition, or “dumb” bomb, with limited accuracy. Weighing 540 kilograms total, it packs over 200 kilograms of TNT equivalent, capable of cratering fortifications and causing widespread destruction.
The bomb’s transformation began in 2023 with the Universal Planning and Correction Module (UMPK) kit, which adds foldable wings, satellite navigation (GLONASS), and control surfaces for gliding up to 60-70 kilometers (37-43 miles). By 2025, upgrades like the UMPK-PD had further extended the range to 95-100 kilometers (59-62 mi), allowing launches from deeper within Russian territory and reducing the launcher plane’s exposure to Ukrainian air defenses.
The simplicity of the kit—which can be retrofitted onto Russia’s vast existing stockpiles—has enabled mass production, with Russia reportedly manufacturing thousands monthly at a tiny fraction of the cost of missiles like the Kh-101. The bomb’s effectiveness is evident in strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, where FAB-500s have demolished buildings and supply lines with frightening accuracy. New variants, such as the heat-resistant FAB-500T and the three-ton FAB-3000, further amplify destructive power, though the standard FAB-500 remains the workhorse due to its balance of payload and deployability.
Ukraine Doesn’t Have an Answer to Russian Glide Bombs
The synergy between the Su-34 and FAB-500 has been pivotal in Russia’s grinding offensives. Su-34s, often operating in pairs or formations, release glide bombs in salvos, saturating Ukrainian positions.
In the 2024-25 Kursk incursion, these strikes wiped out drone command centers and infantry platoons, with footage showing massive explosions from FAB-500 impacts. Daily barrages—up to 100 bombs in hotspots like Avdiivka—have forces Ukrainian retreats, as the weapons’ range (now exceeding 90 kilometers) evades most surface-to-air missiles.
This tactic, dubbed “glide bomb terror,” has inflicted heavy civilian and military trolls, with over 900 bombs dropped in single days in Zaporizhzhia alone in September 2024. The low unit cost of the FAB-500—under $20,000 per bomb—allows sustained use, contrasting Ukraine’s reliance on expensive Western interceptors. Electronic warfare has jammed some UMPK guidance, reducing accuracy in contested areas, but this solution is hardly bulletproof.
The Su-34-FAB-500 duo exemplifies Russia’s adaptation to attrition warfare, prioritizing volume over precision. It has stalled Ukrainian counteroffensives and warned NATO of glide bomb vulnerabilities in peer conflicts. As the war enters its fourth year in 2025, these weapons underscore the evolving role of affordable, upgraded legacy systems in prolonged invasions.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / ID1974.
