Ukrainian MiG-29 Targets Russian Drone Operators in Kursk Region

Ukrainian forces conducted an airstrike on a house in Russia’s Kursk region believed to be used by Russian military personnel, including drone operators.

The strike was carried out using a MiG-29 fighter jet equipped with a French AASM Hammer precision-guided bomb.

A video of the operation was published by the Sonyashnyk Telegram channel, which is affiliated with Ukrainian military aviation.

According to OSINT analyst Dominik, the targeted building was located in the village of Glushkovo.

Ukrainian intelligence had identified the presence of Russian drone operators inside the house.

“Our eyes observed enemy UAVs being launched from the house. So, dear occupiers, using weapons against the Armed Forces of Ukraine can have explosive consequences,” the channel’s post accompanying the video stated.

Footage shows the bomb striking the building with high precision, destroying it. The strike was guided by a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone monitoring the location.

The accuracy of the hit was enabled by the modular guidance system of the AASM bomb.

Similar to U.S.-made JDAM kits, the French AASM converts conventional free-fall bombs into guided munitions.

Unlike JDAMs, the French AASM includes a rocket motor, extending its range. Depending on launch altitude, it can strike targets from 15 km to as far as 70 km. There are two versions of the kit: the Hammer-250, designed for 227 kg Mk.82 bombs, and the Hammer-1000 for 908 kg Mk.84 bombs. Tests of the Hammer-1000 were expected to conclude by the end of 2024.

It took French defense firm Safran nearly four months to adapt the AASM modules for Ukraine’s MiG-29s. Since 2023, France has supplied several hundred of these kits to Ukraine, following modifications to make them compatible with both MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 attack aircraft.

In 2024, France surpassed its planned production of AASM kits by nearly 40%, delivering 830 units.