On August 22, 2024, Ukrainian forces conducted an airstrike on a Russian platoon base in the Kursk region, just across the border from Ukraine. Using U.S.-made GBU-39 glide bombs, the Ukrainian Air Force targeted the base, eliminating up to 40 Russian soldiers and destroying critical military infrastructure. The operation is part of an ongoing incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, which began on August 6.
Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine’s Air Force, confirmed the strike, stating that Ukrainian forces are focused solely on targeting Russian military personnel, equipment, and positions within the region. The airstrike, carried out at 4 p.m. local time, hit a drone command post, an electronic warfare unit, and other assets of Moscow’s forces. A video shared by Oleshchuk on social media shows multiple explosions and smoke rising from the targeted area.
GBU-39 high-precision air bombs hit a Russian platoon stronghold in Kurshchyna – Ai upscaled 150% + dehalo + compression reverse + 30 to 60 FPS + Stabilization https://t.co/NK481A1cMa pic.twitter.com/F3sm5Tk79R
— Dariusz Zawadzki (@Military_oO) August 23, 2024
This airstrike is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to disrupt Russian military operations and create a buffer zone along the border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the ongoing incursions into Kursk Oblast are intended to prevent further Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian forces have reportedly advanced up to 35 kilometers into Russian territory, capturing 93 settlements and taking Russian prisoners of war.
The use of GBU-39 glide bombs marks a notable development in Ukraine’s military capabilities. These bombs, equipped with wings and GPS navigation systems, allow for accurate strikes from a distance. Victoria Vdovychenko, program director for security studies at the Centre for Defense Strategies, highlighted the effective use of these Western-supplied munitions, noting that they increase the precision and efficiency of airstrike missions.
The strike comes amid heightened hostilities along the Ukraine-Russia border, with both sides exchanging heavy fire. Russian forces have responded to the Ukrainian incursions with a barrage of attacks on Ukrainian border regions, including the use of retrofitted Soviet-era munitions. These modified glide bombs, equipped with GPS systems, have caused extensive damage in Ukraine.
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