Russia strikes Ukraine's Lozova with new 130 km guided bomb for the first time
Photo: Russian forces deployed a new-modification guided aerial bomb, UMPB-5R (Getty Images)
On the evening of Saturday, October 18, Russian forces struck Lozova in the Kharkiv region with a guided aerial bomb, marking the first attack on the city of this kind, the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office reports.
Authorities said the strike occurred around 5:40 p.m. Kyiv time. The enemy hit a private residential area, damaging houses and outbuildings.
According to the prosecutor's office, five people were injured, although earlier reports had said six.
"A man received wounds and injuries, while an 80-year-old resident suffered an acute stress reaction. The victims are currently receiving the necessary medical care," the statement said.
The office added that the guided aerial bomb was launched from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territory.
"Officials are currently determining the bomb’s modification and flight range. This is the first use of a guided aerial bomb against the town of Lozova. Additional details will be provided after all investigative and expert actions are completed," the statement said.
Later, the prosecutor's office clarified that the bomb was a rocket-type guided bomb.
"The town of Lozova was struck by a guided aerial bomb of a new modification – UMPB-5R (rocket type), which traveled an estimated distance of 130 km," authorities said.
Photo: Aftermath of Russia's guided bomb strike on Lozova
Photo: Aftermath of Russia's guided bomb strike on Lozova
Photo: Aftermath of Russia's guided bomb strike on Lozova
They also confirmed that a pretrial investigation has been launched for a potential war crime.
Russia increases guided bomb range
Yesterday, Vitalii Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, said that on Thursday, October 16, Russian forces launched two guided aerial bombs at Mykolaiv for the first time since the start of the war. The bombs hit the outskirts of the city.
"This is the first time they've reached Mykolaiv. The type is still being determined, but this is the first time since the war began that the city’s outskirts were attacked with guided aerial bombs," he said.
Social media reports suggested that Russia used a bomb with an estimated range of about 150 km.
