17.07.2025 17:38
Russia attacked a shopping mall in eastern Ukraine with a 500-kilogram bomb. In the attack, which resulted in the deaths of 4 people and injuries to 24 others, 54 stores, 304 apartments, and 8 vehicles were damaged. It has been reported that glide bombs developed by Russia were used in the attack, and there are concerns that the death toll may rise.
Russia struck a shopping mall in the town of Dobropillia, located in Ukraine's Donetsk region, with 500-kilogram Glide bombs. In the attack, 4 people were killed and 24 others were injured. The head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration stated that 54 stores, 304 apartments, and 8 vehicles were damaged as a result of the attack, and a fire broke out afterward.
ZELENSKY: TRULY HORRIFIC
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as "truly horrific," emphasizing that it had "no military logic," and stated, "This is a terrible, foolish act of Russian terrorism. Their only goal is to kill as many people as possible. What Russia is doing are these kinds of despicable attacks."
GLIDE BOMB IS DROPPED FROM AIRCRAFT, GLIDING TO HIT THE TARGET
Glide (gliding towards the target) bombs are an advanced version of bombs that normally need to be dropped directly on the target by the aircraft. These bombs are equipped with wings and sometimes a satellite guidance system. This allows the aircraft to drop the bomb from a great distance, and the bomb can glide through the air to reach the target. With this system, aircraft can conduct attacks from safer distances.
FAB means "high-explosive aerial bomb" in Russian. These bombs have been frequently used since the Soviet Union era and are among the most commonly used bombs by Russia in the war in Ukraine today.
Such aerial bombs pose a significant threat to infrastructure and cities near the front lines in Ukraine. They are generally used to attack Ukrainian military bases, supply depots, bridges, and factories. They are very effective at hitting fixed, non-moving targets.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HIT GLIDE BOMBS IN THE AIR
According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Russia's glide bombs killed 360 Ukrainian civilians and injured 1,861 people in 2024. These figures indicate a threefold increase in deaths and a sixfold increase in injuries compared to 2023.
Russian forces use various glide bombs weighing 250, 500, and 1,000 kilograms. The most powerful one is the 3-ton high-explosive FAB-3000 bomb. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that mass production of this bomb has begun.
These bombs cause massive destruction and are very difficult to stop. They do not emit heat because they do not have engines like missiles. Therefore, heat-sensitive defense systems cannot detect them, making it nearly impossible to hit them in the air.