Russia's glide bombs keep falling on its own territory

Russia's glide bombs, used in the conflict with Ukraine, have been hitting their own territory due to faulty guidance systems, according to internal documents. Between April 2023 and April 2024, 38 of these bombs crashed into the Belgorod region, with most failing to detonate. Civilians discovered the majority of the bombs, some of which remained unnoticed by the Defense Ministry for days. While the bombs usually do not explode, incidents like one in April 2023 in Belgorod caused damage. The Russian military has acknowledged accidental releases of these bombs, but local authorities often attribute the explosions to other causes. The glide bombs, originally Soviet-era munitions retrofitted with guidance systems, have been instrumental in Russia's recent territorial gains but have also posed risks to civilians. Despite the misfires, Russia has increased production of these bombs, including a heavier version, the FAB-3000. The situation highlights concerns about the reliability of these weapons and their impact on both Russian and Ukrainian territories.