Russia escalates Ukraine conflict with powerful FAB‑1500-M54 bombs

Russians are not holding back and are deploying increasingly powerful weapons in Ukraine. Recent attacks have seen the use of the FAB-1500-M54 bomb. Furthermore, there are reports that Moscow has initiated mass production of these bombs. So, what exactly is this weapon?

A video that appeared online on March 6 showcased a Russian aviation attack dropping the FAB-1500-M54 bomb on Ukrainian structures. Ukrainian sources indicate that we might see more of these attacks soon.

In November 2023, the commander of the Ukrainian air forces, Mykola Oleshchuk, cautioned that "Russia is gearing up for mass production of FAB-1500 bombs." In February of the same year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited a factory which, according to state media, has been producing these bombs since the outbreak of the conflict. However, local media's track record with the truth has been less than perfect.

Regardless, the reality of mass production and the dropping of more FAB-1500-M54 bombs on Ukrainian soil will result in severe consequences. This bomb is the heaviest glide bomb in the Russian inventory.

The FAB-1500-M54 is over 8 feet 10 inches long, with a diameter of approximately 24.8 inches. It weighs around 3307 pounds, with 1488 pounds of that being the warhead itself.

The West should be rightfully concerned about the FAB-1500-M54's destructive capability. Its large warhead and freedom of operation—it acts as a fragmentation and blast bomb, causing damage through both the shrapnel and the blast wave—enable it to cause significant destruction. A video from March 6 illustrates an explosion with a fireball reaching about 20 stories high.

Boasting an accuracy of up to 16 feet, the FAB-1500-M54 can affect an area of about 1640 feet in diameter. With this bomb, Russian forces can effectively demolish buildings, military hardware, and even fortifications situated up to 65 feet underground, as well as damage reinforced concrete structures that are 9.8 feet thick.

Selected Russian fighter jets are equipped to carry such bombs. Currently, these include the Su-24 and Su-34, which, despite recent losses, are still abundantly available to the Russian forces.