Russia uses new super bomb, US sends contractors to Ukraine. With the spotlight on Donald Trump and the new president’s position on the war between Moscow and Kiev, the conflict heads towards the 1000 day mark with news that has an immediate impact on the field and potential breakthroughs behind the scenes.
While waiting for the role of the North Korean soldiers sent by Kim Jong-un to be defined in the Russian Kursk region, invaded by Kiev’s soldiers at the beginning of August, Moscow’s forces continue to pound Ukrainian cities with almost daily raids.
Compared to the beginning of autumn, the intensity of the actions seems to have decreased slightly: the more rational use of the available arsenals could suggest a more aggressive plan for the winter, when the damage to Ukrainian energy infrastructures would have a greater impact.
How Moscow’s new super bomb works
Meanwhile, according to the analyzes that find ample space on Telegram’s specialized channels, Russia has started to use the new Grom E1 guided ‘super bombs’capable of flying for approximately 120 km thanks to the engine they are equipped with. In this way, Su-30 and Su-34 fighters can target targets without exposing themselves to fire from Ukrainian air defense systems.
The Grom-E1s were used in a series of raids which also hit civilian targets in Myrnohrad, Kherson and Kharkiv. The only positive element for Ukraine would be the limited number of munitions of this type available to the Russian air force. The range of action of the Grom E1 appears decidedly superior to that of the equivalent weapons available to Kiev: to carry out similar actions, the Ukrainian fighters risk becoming potential targets of S-300 and S-400 defense systems.
Ukraine, here are the US contractors
While waiting for Donald Trump to take control of operations in Washington, the administration of outgoing President Joe Biden is sending a long-awaited signal from Kiev. The White House has authorized the sending of American contractors to Ukraine for maintenance and repair of the supplied equipment. CNN clarifies that the systems will be repaired by private US personnel: the framework includes F-16 fighters and Patriot air defense systems.
The contractors, who have never been authorized by Washington until now, will be deployed far from the front line and will not fight. They will be authorized by the Pentagon and their intervention will allow to accelerate repair and maintenance activities, allowing the Ukrainian armed forces to operate with greater efficiency and timeliness. So far, since the start of the war in 2022, the systems supplied by the Americans and damaged by the Russians have been repaired mainly in Poland and Romania, with a clear increase in time and costs.