A recent attack in Sudzha, a town in Kursk Oblast, shows how little concern the Russian military has for civilian casualties—even on their own territory.
A guided FAB bomb struck a boarding school, trapping at least 95 people under the rubble. Many of them were elderly or children, reports WP.
Sudzha, once home to around 5,000 people, has been mostly abandoned due to the war. Only around 200 people are believed to still live there.
Now, with the latest bombing, even fewer may remain.
Russia’s Brutal Tactics: The Role of FAB Bombs
Since World War II, Russian military tactics have focused on overwhelming firepower. Their strategy today still follows this pattern.
First, they send waves of troops to force enemy forces to reveal their positions. Many of these soldiers don’t survive, leading to the term “meat assaults.”
Once enemy positions are identified, Russia unleashes heavy artillery and airstrikes using FAB bombs equipped with UMPK modules.
These bombs are designed to destroy fortifications, clearing the way for more Russian troops to advance.
The attack on Sudzha is just one example of how this strategy plays out. After the initial bombardment, Russian forces typically send in more waves of soldiers and repeat the process until they break through.
While this method results in massive casualties, it has proven effective in some regions, particularly in Donetsk, where Ukrainian forces struggle with manpower shortages and logistical challenges.
Ukraine’s Struggle to Defend Against FAB Bombs
One of the biggest challenges for Ukraine is the lack of air defense systems capable of stopping these bombs before they hit.
Advanced systems like Patriot or SAMP/T could shoot down the aircraft carrying them from over 100 kilometers away.
Without enough of these, Ukraine is often forced to retreat to avoid being overwhelmed.
FAB Bombs: Russia’s Copy of a Western Idea
The FAB bombs used by Russia are based on a Western concept. They function similarly to American JDAM-ER bombs.
A lightweight aluminum module is attached to Soviet-era FAB bombs, adding satellite navigation, foldable wings, and control surfaces.
When dropped from high altitudes, these bombs can glide over 40 kilometers before impact.
Even when GPS signals are jammed, these bombs still land within a few meters of their target.
Given their size—some carrying over 1,500 kg of TNT—even a slight miss causes massive destruction. Buildings collapse, and anyone nearby is unlikely to survive.
The bombing of Sudzha is another tragic reminder of how destructive modern warfare has become.
Without stronger defenses, Ukraine will continue to face these devastating attacks, forcing civilians to live in constant fear.
