Russia's Su-34 Bomber Fleet Grows, Intensifying Glide Bomb Threat

Russia has received a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers, according to reports. This strengthens a fleet that has heavily bombarded Ukrainian front-line positions. The Su-34 is a key aircraft in Russia's use of glide bombs. These are standard bombs fitted with wings and navigation systems. This allows them to be launched from a safe distance, outside the range of many Ukrainian air defenses. Once released, the bombs can glide over 60 kilometers to hit their targets with high accuracy. This tactic has proven devastating. In the single month of June, Russian Su-34s were reported to have dropped over 860 glide bombs on the Pokrovsk sector alone. The powerful bombs can level entire buildings. Ukraine currently has no reliable defense against these massed glide bomb attacks. The arrival of more Su-34s signals Russia's intent to continue and possibly increase this destructive pressure on Ukrainian defenses.