Additional Coverage:
- Ukraine says Russia deployed its rarely-used, jet engine-powered ‘Grom-E1’ missile bomb in Kharkiv (newsbreak.com)
This week, Kharkiv has endured a barrage of Russian missile strikes. One notable attack involved Russia’s use of the “Grom-E1” hybrid missile bomb in the area for the first time, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Telegram.
The Grom-E1, a missile-bomb combination developed in the mid-2000s, can travel up to 75 miles and features wings and a jet engine for extended range, as reported by United24, a Ukrainian government-backed platform. This weapon weighs about 1,310 lbs and carries a warhead weighing approximately 695 lbs.
Investigative head Serhiy Bolvinov from the Kharkiv region’s National Police noted that this type of munition has been rarely used by Russian forces. Its first recorded use in Ukraine was in March 2023, targeting the Donetsk region, and it has also been deployed in strikes on Kupiansk and Kherson.
Michael Purcell, a Russia & International Security expert at George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs, explained to Business Insider that these weapons allow Russian forces to launch attacks from greater distances, keeping them out of reach of Ukrainian air defenses. He described the Grom-E1 as an “incremental improvement” tailored to current tactical needs.
Russia has continuously adapted its weaponry during its invasion of Ukraine, notably using modified Soviet-era glide bombs. These are fitted with wings and satellite navigation systems to be released from safer distances, complicating Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Consequently, Ukraine has targeted Russian aircraft at air bases inside Russian territory but faces limitations due to Western restrictions on using Western weapons to strike deep within Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged for these restrictions to be lifted to increase pressure on Moscow.
For more details, read the original article on Business Insider.