Ukrainian Aviation Destroys FSS Facility in Belgorod Region

Ukrainian aircraft executed a high-precision strike on a deployment site of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSS) units in the border village of Glotovo, Belgorod region.

Soniashnyk Telegram channel, associated with the Ukrainian Air Force, published the operation footage.

The strike targeted a concentration of Russian forces and was executed using two French-made AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs, launched from a MiG-29 fighter jet.

The pair of bombs hit the building’s roof with precision and likely destroyed several floors. The strike was performed under surveillance by a reconnaissance drone.

Open-source intelligence analyst @blinzka on the social network X identified the target as an FSS facility in the border village of Glotovo, Belgorod region, located approximately 5 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. It’s worth noting that in Russia, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation also oversees the Border Guard Service.

The high-precision strike was made possible by the use of the AASM modular guidance kit, which has proven effective in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.

AASM

Similar to the American JDAM kits, the French AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) is designed to convert standard Western-style unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.

However, the French bomb stands out due to its built-in rocket motor, which significantly increases its strike range. Its maximum range is approximately 15 km when launched from low altitudes, and up to 70 km when deployed from high altitudes.

There are two versions of the AASM kits: the Hammer-250, designed for 227 kg Mk.82 bombs, and the Hammer-1000, compatible with the 908 kg Mk.84 bombs. Testing of the latter was scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.

The French defense company Safran successfully adapted the AASM Hammer guidance modules for Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft within just four months. Since 2023, France has delivered several hundred of these precision kits to Ukraine, following necessary modifications by Safran’s engineering team to ensure compatibility with Soviet-era Su-25 attack aircraft and MiG-29 fighter jets.

In 2024, France exceeded its production targets for the AASM Hammer precision-guidance kits by nearly 40%, manufacturing a total of 830 units. The company has also indicated its capability to double production capacity contingent upon further orders.