Mass use of guided bombs driving Russian advances, says Ukraine

Up to 500 ‘drop-and-forget’ bombs containing foreign components being fired every week, government analysis finds

The mass use of “drop-and-forget” guided bombs containing foreign components is driving Russian advances in Ukraine, with up to 500 now being fired a week, according to a Ukrainian government analysis.

High explosive and cluster bombs fitted with “UMPC” guiding systems with a range of 40-60km (25-37 miles) are now said to be a central threat on the frontline, forcing back Ukrainian forces.

According to a Ukrainian government report obtained by the Guardian, such weapons fired from afar by aircraft “played a key role in the destruction of [the eastern city of] Avdiivka and the seizure of its ruins by Russia”.

Russia took full control in mid-February of Avdiivka, in the industrial Donbas region, its biggest gain since capturing Bakhmut last May.