Vitaly Shevchenko

Russian warplanes have accidentally dropped at least 334 bombs on Russian territory or occupied Ukrainian regions since 2022, according to independent outlet Astra, which says the real number is likely higher. Most incidents involve glide bombs equipped with wing kits that fail to deploy, causing the munitions to fall short of intended targets in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Experts attribute the failures to mechanical defects and heavy operational strain on aircraft. Russian authorities rarely acknowledge these accidents and sometimes suppress evidence or blame Ukraine. The unintended strikes have caused property damage, injuries and deaths, yet glide bombs remain central to Russia’s campaign, with their losses treated as an accepted cost of the war.