Video Shows Ukrainian Jet's 'Pop-Up' Maneuver to Drop Glide Bombs on Russia

A video clip circulating on social media shows a Ukrainian MiG-29 jet performing a 'pop-up' maneuver to deploy French AASM-250 "Hammer" glide bombs on Russian positions, as reported by the Russian Telegram channel 'Milinfolive'.

The footage shows the high-precision bombs being released from a low altitude, followed by an anti-missile maneuver. This tactic helps the jet avoid anti-aircraft defenses while delivering its payload.

"Currently, the enemy drops various Western bombs not only from low altitudes near the front line but also from high altitudes and long distances," in the words of the Telegram channel.

The approach allows jets to deploy bombs over a greater distance, enabling the bombs to "glide" to their targets while minimizing the risk to the aircraft from long-range air defense systems.

"We predicted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine would adapt to using Western-supplied aerial bombs due to the significant number of Russian air defense systems and fighters," the channel adds, noting strategic adaptations by Ukrainian forces since December 2022​.

In simple terms, glide bombs are standard bombs that have been modified to include wings and navigation systems that allow for a gliding flight path to a target. Some glide bombs are given the design when they're first built but others are modified after production.

The "gliding" additions allow bombs to "travel much further" and render them "much more precise than unguided—or "dumb"—bombs," according to the Moscow Times.

Russia's use of glide bombs has been particularly devastating in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. Launched deep inside Russian airspace, the munitions can glide 30 to 45 miles to their targets, causing massive destruction upon impact.

Kyiv has been struggling to counter glide bombs due to their ability to be launched from outside the range of most Ukrainian air defense systems. The U.S. has imposed constraints on Ukraine using certain weapons inside Russia, further complicating their defense efforts.

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