Photo Shows Russian FAB-500T Bomb With Turbojet Engine Under Su-34
A photo posted online on October 9 appears to show a Russian FAB-500T aerial bomb fitted with a turbojet engine beneath a Su-34, linked to the UMPB-5R long-range guidance kit. Reports say the kit could give the bomb a range of 150 to 200 kilometers through jet propulsion, improved aerodynamics, and updated guidance. The image does not confirm the weapon’s operational range or how widely it has entered combat use, though Russia has increasingly used guided bombs from Su-34s against Ukraine.
The image, shared on October 9, shows a FAB-500T bomb with a rear-mounted turbojet and visible air intake under a Su-34. The UMPB-5R kit is reportedly added only after the bomb and engine are assembled. Reports from October 2025 described a new jet-powered guided bomb after Ukrainian officials cited its use; recovered fragments appeared to resemble a Chinese Swiwin SW800Pro-Y engine, though only pieces were shown.
The reported 150–200 km range would come from jet propulsion, revised aerodynamics, and updated guidance. Russia has relied more on Su-34-launched guided bombs against Ukrainian military targets and infrastructure. The photo alone does not verify actual range or how widely this configuration has been used in combat.
If the reported range is accurate, communities and infrastructure deeper in Ukraine could face added risk, while air-defense crews may have less warning time and fewer interception options. Russian aircraft and crews might operate farther from Ukrainian defenses, potentially reducing their exposure. The photo itself does not show how many such weapons exist or whether they are being used widely, so the immediate social impact may depend on production, targeting choices, and Ukraine’s ability to adapt its defenses.