Ukrainian drones strike deep: Upgraded firepower hits Russian targets
Ukrainians use more than just small kamikaze drones for attacks on targets in the Russian Federation. They also have much more powerful machines in their arsenal, specifically small airplanes converted into unmanned aircraft, which can carry bombs weighing up to 550 pounds, according to the Ukrainian portal Defense Express.
Ukrainian combat drones, as reported by Defense Express, are capable of carrying and dropping bombs weighing 550 pounds. These capabilities are confirmed by recent attacks on facilities in the Bryansk region of Russia. Photos published by Ukrainian sources show an FAB-250M-54 bomb and a 120-mm mortar shell, both suspended under a mysterious drone.
New capabilities of Ukrainian drones
Although the type of drone wasn't revealed, this comes as no surprise to Russia. Ukraine has long used drones equipped with full-sized bombs for attacks. In April 2024, the Russians published photos of a lightweight SkyRanger aircraft in the Swift variant, converted into a combat drone with a similar bomb.
A significant advantage of these designs is that these drones are reusable. This means that after dropping a bomb, they return to base, where they are prepared for subsequent missions. They are not as limited as kamikaze drones. One of the large drones displayed markings for four hit targets, the report states. Defense Express adds that an optical sighting station is responsible for the precision of attacks in these designs.
Increased strike power
Earlier photos showed drones equipped with FAB-100 bombs, but now Ukrainians have adapted their equipment to carry much more powerful FAB-250 bombs. This may mean that the drones are based on more advanced aircraft or that the SkyRanger Swift has greater capabilities than previously thought.
The FAB-250 bomb in the M-54 variant is a model from 1954, featuring a strengthened structure. The weight of such a weapon is 550 pounds, and its length reaches nearly 6.6 feet with a diameter of about 1 foot. The bomb is unguided and has a single nose fuze. Upon impact, it is capable of neutralizing enemy personnel, armored equipment, and light fortifications. The radius of the FAB-250 is estimated at 390 feet.
