Russia eyes extending KAB bomb range, escalating threat to Ukraine

The Russian Federation may extend the range of its KAB bomb family to over 150 kilometres. If this happens, according to military analyst Aleksandr Kowalenko, not only Zaporizhzhia will be at risk of shelling, but also other cities in Ukraine – including Poltava, Dnipro, and Odesa.

Bombs are among the most valuable weapons the Russian army currently possesses. Thanks to them, the aggressor can effectively attack large areas of Ukrainian territory, primarily demolishing fortifications and other strategic objects used by the military. Therefore, any modernization that the Russians apply to their bombs poses a significant challenge for Ukrainians.

The same applies to the KABs, whose range the Russians may soon extend. Military analyst Aleksandr Kowalenko discussed this scenario in an interview with the Kyiv24 channel. He said, "This increase is driven by the expanding potential for mass production of UMPK and the considerable stockpiles of different aviation bombs that Russia inherited from the USSR."

Kowalenko notes that the Russians used KABs for the first time during the war in Ukraine in 2022, around Bakhmut. At that time, a bomb was dropped from an altitude of 16 kilometres, covering a range of 30 kilometres. Currently, the flight range of these bombs exceeds 80 kilometres, and the expert does not rule out that by the end of 2024, the range will improve to over 100 kilometres.

However, if the Russian Federation manages to install a jet accelerator on the bomb (similar to the French Hammer or American JDAM), then KAB bombs will immediately achieve a range exceeding 150 kilometres, warns Kowalenko. The expert emphasizes that it's a threat to Poltava, Dnipro, and even Odesa. Ukrainians are trying to defend themselves against the threat posed by the KABs, but the only method of combat currently is to eliminate the carriers of these bombs.

KAB bombs come in various versions adapted to specific operational needs. The most popular are the KAB-500L and KAB-500Kr. The KAB-500L is a laser-guided bomb equipped with a 27N-type warhead, which ensures attack precision within 7 metres.

In contrast, the KAB-500Kr is equipped with a television-guided warhead. Thanks to its flight correction capabilities and high sensor sensitivity, this version is often used in difficult weather conditions and at night. Both versions of KAB bombs are highly effective and destroy targets such as bunkers, bridges, or ammunition depots.