Russian forces have introduced a new weapon in their ongoing conflict with Ukraine that has significantly shifted the balance on the front lines. The FAB-1500 bomb, a modified version of a basic Soviet-era weapon, has caused devastation in Ukrainian defenses and infrastructure.
The FAB-1500 is a 1.5-ton bomb with almost half of its weight in high explosives. By dropping these bombs from fighter jets at a distance of 60-70 kilometers, Russian forces are able to avoid many Ukrainian air defenses. The bomb’s guidance system and pop-up wings allow it to glide towards its target, causing a crater fifty feet wide upon impact.
Recent videos from the Donetsk region show the immense power of these bombs as they hit thermal power plants, factories, and apartment buildings – key locations where Ukrainians coordinate their defenses. The use of FAB bombs has become a critical element in the Russian offensive, particularly in the destruction of Ukrainian defenses in and around Avdiivka.
Ukrainian forces on the front lines are facing a barrage of Russian airstrikes, with sometimes over 100 in a single day. The Ukrainian General Staff has reported the relentless attacks, leaving soldiers with nowhere to shelter and no defenses to rely on.
While Ukrainian officials are pleading for longer-range air defense weapons to counter the Russian threat, Russian forces continue to utilize their newfound firepower to inflict devastating damage on Ukrainian positions. The introduction of the FAB-1500 bomb has proven to be a game-changer in the conflict, showcasing the relentless and destructive tactics employed by Russian forces in the region.