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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [INTERNATIONAL]

2 clusters · 15 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Russia-Ukraine aerial munitions development

Overview

Russia has increased the deployment of Banderol (S8000) munitions, which are low-cost, jet-powered loitering munitions manufactured by Kronshtadt JSC. These weapons, launched from Mi-28 helicopters or Orion reconnaissance drones, are designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses by creating a strategic cost imbalance, as they often require expensive interception systems despite having smaller warheads. In the Odesa region, these munitions are reportedly involved in approximately 80% of Russian attacks on infrastructure.

In response, Ukraine is accelerating the production of its own domestic precision-guided gliding bomb, known as the ‘Equalizer’ (or ‘Vyrivniuvach’). Developed by DG Industry with support from the Brave1 incubator, the motorless weapon uses guidance kits and pop-out wings to convert unguided bombs into precision standoff munitions. The Equalizer features a 250 kg warhead and is intended to provide the Ukrainian Air Force with greater strategic autonomy and a more secure supply chain, reducing reliance on Western military aid such as the U.S. JDAM-ER or French AASM-250 Hammer.

Entities

Russia · Ukraine · Brave1 · Russian military · Arena-M

Timeline

  1. 22 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Ukraine accelerates production of domestic Equalizer glide bomb

    Ukraine is ramping up production of the ‘Equalizer’ glide bomb, a domestic precision weapon designed to increase strike range and reduce reliance on Western military aid.

  2. 24 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 13 sources
    Russia deploys Banderol munitions to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses

    Russia is using low-cost Banderol (S8000) munitions to saturate Ukrainian air defenses, forcing Kyiv to use expensive interceptors. Meanwhile, Ukraine is developing its own Equalizer gliding bomb.

Sources

arabic.euronews.com · arstechnica.com · businessam.be · de.euronews.com · es.euronews.com · euronews.net · europesays.com · fr.businessam.be · fr.euronews.com · gr.euronews.com · it-boltwise.de · pt.euronews.com · sapo.pt · tr.euronews.com · world-today-news.com