Russia adds jet engines to Soviet-era “dumb bombs,” extending strike range to 200 km

Russia has begun deploying jet-powered glide bombs capable of striking targets up to 200 kilometers away, marking a major upgrade to its aerial arsenal. These retrofitted Soviet-era KAB bombs are now equipped with navigation kits and Chinese-made turbojet engines, reportedly available online for around $18,000.

Source Financial Times

The weapons have been used in southern Ukraine, including Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Poltava regions, enabling Russian aircraft to strike from beyond the range of Ukrainian air defences. Military experts describe them as a “cheap substitute for cruise missiles,” designed to hit energy and military infrastructure targets from a safe distance.

Ukrainian analysts warn that while these bombs are still in testing, their increased range poses a serious challenge to Kyiv’s already strained air defence network. President Zelensky recently announced the arrival of new Patriot systems, emphasizing that strengthening multi-layered air defence is essential to counter Russia’s evolving aerial threats.