Now with 95 km range: What we know about Russia's upgraded glide bombs
Photo: SU-34 fighter-bomber (Getty Images)
Russia has begun using new long-range glide bombs, known as UMPK-PD, more actively. Recent strikes with these munitions have been recorded in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, Ukrainian analytical portal Defense Express reports.
What are UMPK-PD bombs and why are they dangerous
According to Defense Express, UMPK-PD stands for a universal planning and correction module with an extended range. The strike on the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, recently reported by the regional Prosecutor's Office, is among the first documented uses of these upgraded munitions.
"If the original UMPK bombs had a launch range of 60–80 km, depending on the carrier aircraft's flight parameters, the new extended-range versions can now reach up to 95 km. Prosecutors believe the enemy is currently just testing these new versions, and the operational range may increase even further," the article says.
The first image of a Su-34 carrying UMPK-PD appeared only in March 2025: the front-line bomber is seen carrying four FAB-500M62 bombs equipped with upgraded modules. The upgrade includes an enlarged wing, a reinforced mounting system, and improved guidance.
Tactical advantages and vulnerabilities
With the arrival of UMPK-PD, Russia has gained two key advantages:
- The ability to strike targets up to 95 km away - beyond the reach of previous models.
- The option to launch strikes from deeper behind the front lines, lowering the risk to pilots.
However, the longer the range, the more exposure the bomb's navigation system has to Ukrainian electronic warfare interference. The satellite signal is more vulnerable to jamming over a longer duration.
To offset this, the Russians are boosting their navigation modules: UMPK-PD bombs now carry up to 8, and in some cases even 12, Kometa-M satellite antennas, making jamming more difficult.
Threat to civilians
Unlike Western-made precision weapons, accuracy is not a priority for Russia. Even with extended range, these bombs are often used against wide-area targets such as towns and villages. The relatively low cost of the kits makes them a convenient tool for terrorizing civilians.
On the night of June 3, Russian troops struck a postal terminal near Kharkiv.
That same night, a drone attack in Chernihiv damaged private homes, resulting in at least one killed victim. In Odesa, residential high-rise buildings were also damaged.
