The Russian Defense Ministry reported that in October, the country deployed an unprecedented number of guided aerial bombs (KAB) against Ukraine, targeting military positions and urban areas near the front line. Over 5,328 munitions were dropped during this period, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
The data highlights a marked increase in the scale of air strikes, prompting concerns about the ongoing war’s trajectory. The use of KAB, or Kh-29 missiles, is a critical component of Russia’s military strategy, with these precision-guided weapons enabling targeted strikes on both military and civilian infrastructure. Analysts suggest that the increased frequency of such attacks may be intended to destabilize Ukrainian defensive capabilities and exert pressure on the front lines.
International observers have raised alarms over the humanitarian impact of these attacks, particularly given the proximity of the strikes to civilian populations. The escalating use of aerial bombardment is seen as part of a broader pattern of military aggression by Russia, which has faced widespread condemnation from global leaders and human rights organizations.