On 20 October, General Władysław Skibicki confirmed that Russia has completed the Grom‑1 and Grom‑2 guided glide bombs, which will soon enter battlefield testing and serial production with ranges up to 200 km.
Development of Gromy Using Pre‑war Technologies
General Skibicki said Russia finished work on the new glide bombs in September and October. The systems are now being tested on actual battlefields, and production is starting at Russian plants. Ukrainian military intelligence estimates the weapons will have a range of 150–200 km, with one reportedly flying 193 km during a combat test in Ukraine.
First Use in Dnipro Amid Unclear Naming Debate
Early October attacks on the city of Dnipro are thought to have involved the new Gromy. While confusion exists over the name—originally introduced in 2015—Skibicki’s statements support that the bombs were used, including footage of a fast‑moving object over the suburbs. The lack of clarity stems from the fact that the weapon was developed long before the conflict began.
Building on the Legacy of the UMPK Module
Earlier in the war, Russia relied on a simple UMPK guidance module combined with older air‑to‑ground bombs to create guided weapons with a 60–80 km range. Those systems were inexpensive, around $20–30 k, and were rapidly deployed. The new Gromy is a more complex and costly evolution of that technology.
Extended Range and Dual‑Warhead Design
Gromy‑1 keeps the core design but is reportedly stretched to 150–200 km by adding a rear rocket motor that lifts the warhead before it glides. Gromy‑2 offers a shorter range comparable to UMPK weapons but carries a dual warhead—315 kg and 165 kg, for a total 480 kg of explosives—significantly heavier than conventional FAB‑500 bombs.
Electronic Counter‑Measure Resistance
Both variants use inertial and satellite navigation; the key improvement is hardening against jamming. Russian electronic warfare units attempt to jam satellite signals to reduce bomb accuracy, while the Gromy is designed to maintain guidance integrity even under such conditions.
Strategic Threat to Ukrainian Front and Rear
With ranges reaching 150 km, the new glide bombs can strike deep into Ukraine’s rear, as demonstrated by the attack on Dnipro 110 km from the frontline. This far exceeds the 20–50 km reach of current UMPK‑armed Su‑34 sorties, opening new avenues for strike operations against fortified positions and critical infrastructure.
