UK intelligence explains why Russian forces dropping bombs on Russian territory
According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the UK Ministry of Defence on social media platform X, citing intelligence assessments.
Intelligence experts, referencing Russian independent media outlet Astra, note that since the beginning of this year Russian forces have dropped 25 glide bombs on Russian territory and occupied parts of Ukraine. In 2025, there were 143 such incidents, and 165 in 2024.
It is also reported that on May 16, Russia accidentally dropped a glide bomb on a house in the village of Dubove in Russia’s Belgorod region, killing one person.
Russian Air Force is currently carrying out more than 200 combat sorties per day against Ukraine, launching an average of 180 to 250 glide bombs daily, depending on weather conditions.
The UK intelligence assessment stresses that these incidents demonstrate continued errors in Russia’s ability to successfully deploy their munitions on intended targets. Such errors have destructive and lethal consequences for Russian civilians, the report said.
“These incidents likely occur due to a combination of poor procedures when aiming the aircraft prior to sorties missions and poor execution by aircrew during missions,” UK intelligence assessed.
Analysts also suggest that the frequency of glide bomb release incidents may indicate fatigue within the Russian force, as well as inadequate military training.
As previously reported, as of March, Russian bombers had dropped at least 10 glide bombs on Russian territory in 2026 alone.
