Russia’s Su-34 Unleash Massive FAB-1500 Bombs at Ukrainian Site

The skies over Ukraine once again roared with the sound of Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers as they unleashed their devastating payload on Ukrainian positions. On March 3, 2025, Russia’s Aerospace Forces carried out a precision airstrike targeting troop concentrations in Gulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, showcasing the destructive power of the massive FAB-1500 and other munitions used in the assault.

Captured in chilling footage released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the strike demonstrated the enhanced capabilities of these aerial bombs, each equipped with Universal Planning and Correction Modules (UMPK) to extend their range and improve accuracy.

The massive FAB-1500 bombs, along with the FAB-500, are known for their devastating impact, delivering immense destructive power to enemy forces on the ground. This attack is part of a broader, ongoing strategy where the Su-34 bomber has been extensively employed, showcasing its ability to carry out precision strikes with massive FAB-1500 bombs in some of the most destructive air operations seen in modern warfare.

The video evidence of the strike paints a grim picture of Ukraine’s battlefield reality. The footage depicts powerful explosions sending towering plumes of debris and smoke into the air, leaving craters the size of buildings in their wake. Russian sources hailed the mission as a success, emphasizing the precision of the attacks.

However, while Russian military officials have not provided casualty figures, the impact on Ukrainian defenses is undeniable. The attack on Gulyaypole marks yet another chapter in Russia’s escalating use of heavy glide bombs to cripple Ukrainian positions and disrupt military operations along critical frontlines.

About FAB-1500 Bombs and its Impact on Ukrainian Defenses

At the heart of this relentless aerial assault is the FAB-1500, a 1.5-tonne bomb designed for maximum destruction. Originally a Soviet-era “dumb bomb,” Russia has modernized it with guidance systems, transforming it into a long-range precision weapon. Nearly half of its weight consists of high explosives, allowing it to create craters up to 15 meters wide and penetrate fortified structures with ease.

Fitted with the UMPK kit, the FAB-1500 can glide up to 60-70 kilometers from its drop point, allowing Russian Su-34 bombers to launch their attacks from a safe distance beyond the reach of many Ukrainian air defense systems. Reports suggest that its accuracy has been improved to within 5-10 meters of the intended target.

The impact of the FAB-1500 on Ukrainian defenses has been devastating. Since its introduction, these bombs have wreaked havoc on frontline positions, military installations, and critical infrastructure. During the battle for Avdiivka, hundreds of FAB-1500s were deployed, playing a crucial role in Russia’s eventual capture of the city in February 2025.

Ukrainian trenches, bunkers, and fortifications have been systematically obliterated by repeated bombings, leaving little room for defenders to regroup. Beyond military targets, these strikes have also inflicted significant damage on civilian infrastructure, with thermal power plants, factories, and residential buildings among the casualties of Russia’s relentless aerial campaign.

Russia’s ability to launch hundreds of these glide bombs weekly has put Ukraine in an increasingly precarious position. With each successful strike, Russia gains a strategic advantage, weakening Ukraine’s defensive lines and forcing its military to spread its already limited resources across multiple vulnerable locations.

The psychological impact on Ukrainian troops and civilians is also profound, as the sheer destructive force of the FAB-1500 has turned once-defensible positions into ruins, instilling fear and uncertainty among those on the receiving end of these attacks.

Read: Russia’s plan to mass-produce guided bombs by 2025

Ukrainian Countermeasures

Despite these challenges, Ukraine has been actively seeking ways to counter the persistent threat posed by Russian glide bombs. However, existing air defense systems have struggled to intercept these munitions due to their high velocity and extended range.

Many Ukrainian defense systems, including the Buk-M1, have a maximum engagement range of around 40 kilometers, rendering them largely ineffective against Su-34s operating at stand-off distances beyond 60 kilometers. The limited number of Patriot missile systems supplied by Western allies has proven useful but insufficient to provide comprehensive coverage across the vast front lines.

Recognizing the urgent need to neutralize this threat at its source, Ukraine has attempted preemptive strikes on Russian air bases housing Su-34 bombers. There have been reports of successful attacks on bases such as Morozovsk airfield, temporarily disrupting Russian air operations.

However, these raids have been limited in scope, and Russia has quickly adapted by dispersing its aircraft across multiple locations and increasing security around key airfields.

Ukraine’s leadership has repeatedly called for additional advanced air defense systems capable of intercepting both the Su-34 and the glide bombs it carries. Longer-range interceptors and fighter jets, such as the F-16s promised by Western allies, could help turn the tide by engaging Russian bombers before they can launch their payloads. However, with deliveries still in progress and pilot training ongoing, these solutions remain months away from full deployment, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to continued Russian bombardment.

The extensive use of Su-34 jets armed with FAB-1500 glide bombs has shifted the dynamics of the conflict, providing Russia with a powerful tool to maintain pressure on Ukrainian defenses. Unless Ukraine can secure the necessary countermeasures to mitigate these airstrikes, the coming months may see further destruction along the front lines, tilting the balance of power in Russia’s favor.

The war remains a deadly chess match, where air superiority and long-range strike capabilities could determine the ultimate outcome of the ongoing struggle for control over Ukraine’s war-torn regions.