Russia may have attached wings to cluster bombs to attack Avdiivka "fire pit"

RBK-500 bomb (Photo: Defense Express).

The British Ministry of Defense released an intelligence report on November 29 saying that the Russian Air Force appears to be increasing its use of heavy cluster bombs to carry out widespread attacks on Ukraine in Vuhledar and Avdiivka, two fronts witnessing fierce confrontation between the two sides.

According to the British side, Russia may have started deploying the 498kg RBK-500 bomb more regularly in the past month. Depending on the variant, this bomb can contain between 100 and 350 small projectiles inside, in the form of piercing shrapnel or larger anti-tank rounds.

He said Russia may have attached wings to the RBK-500, turning it into a smart cluster bomb. Previously, the Kyiv Independent reported that Russia was using the UMPK device to mount on conventional bombs, turning them into a cheap but effective alternative to expensive guided missiles.

UMPK is a system that can help conventional weapons glide and guide, which means they can become smart bombs. According to experts, this move by Russia can pose a serious threat to Ukraine because they can destroy Kiev's defenses and rear.

According to Russian media, a single UMPK costs about $24,000 to produce, making it much cheaper than other precision-strike weapons. For example, according to Business Insider , the Kalibr series of missiles that Russia has used in large numbers in the war in Ukraine are said to cost $6.5 million each.

According to the Ukrainian air defense forces, the UMPK bomb has an effective range of about 50km.

Although the British Ministry of Defense expressed skepticism about the absolute accuracy of the UMPK cluster bomb when attacking targets, the bomb containing a large number of submunitions inside allows it to attack a large area spanning several hundred meters, increasing the effectiveness of air strikes.

Russia has not commented on the information provided by the British Ministry of Defense.

How cluster bombs work (Graphic: Guardian).

Cluster bombs are a type of weapon that can hit multiple targets at once. However, these warheads also have a certain "failure" rate. The munitions can remain in the attacked areas and endanger the people for decades afterwards.

The use of cluster bombs has been banned globally by more than 120 countries. However, neither Russia, Ukraine nor the United States have banned the weapons.

In July, the US announced that it would send cluster bombs to Ukraine. Several allies, including Germany, the UK, and Canada, objected to Washington’s move. The US said it was supplying cluster bombs to Ukraine because Kiev needed more ammunition to continue repelling Russia’s military campaign.

Russia condemned the US decision and vowed to respond in kind. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned that US cluster bombs supplied to Kiev would prolong the conflict. In August, Shoigu said they would consider using cluster bombs against Ukraine.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-co-the-da-gan-canh-len-bom-chum-de-tan-cong-chao-lua-avdiivka-20231130083036105.htm