Russia Reportedly Strikes Odesa With KAB Guided Bombs for First Time

Russia has reportedly attacked Odesa with guided aerial bombs (KABs) for the first time, according to local reports, marking a potentially significant expansion in Moscow’s use of the powerful weapons against Ukraine’s southern port city. No Ukrainian official source had confirmed the use of a guided aerial bomb against Odesa city as of publication. However, residents reported hearing the characteristic explosions during the Aug. 31 attack, while local and humanitarian channels reported that a KAB had been launched toward the city.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Odesa came under a combined Russian attack late Monday, Aug. 31, with Moscow launching Shahed attack drones, Banderol loitering munitions and guided aerial bombs. While Russian KABs have previously reached parts of Odesa region, local sources said the Aug. 31 attack was the first time a guided bomb was recorded striking Odesa itself. KABs are conventional aerial bombs fitted with guidance and glide kits, allowing Russian aircraft to release them from a distance and hit targets without flying directly over the area being attacked. Russia has increasingly modified older Soviet-era bombs with guidance systems and wings, turning them into relatively cheap but highly destructive stand-off weapons. The bombs pose a particular danger because of their large warheads and the difficulty of intercepting them. Depending on the model, Russian glide bombs can carry hundreds of kilograms to several tonnes of explosives, while newer versions have reportedly reached ranges of more than 100 kilometers. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine’s War Chest Shrinks as Europe Mulls Gamble with Russia Billions Europe may have €210 billion in frozen Russian assets, but Belgium’s legal concerns could determine whether Ukraine gets the money it needs now. That combination – heavy explosive payloads, increasing range and the ability to be launched from aircraft operating outside the immediate target area – allows Russia to threaten cities farther from the front line while reducing the exposure of its aircraft to Ukrainian air defenses. The reported use of KABs against the city could signal that Russia is expanding the operational range of the weapons, which have been used extensively against Ukrainian cities and frontline positions. Local Telegram channels reported that Russian drones approached Odesa from the direction of the Black Sea as Ukrainian air defenses engaged the incoming targets. Russian Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets were also reportedly active during the attack. At least one drone was reported shot down over the city. The attack also caused power outages in several parts of Odesa, with residents reporting that electricity disappeared shortly after a series of explosions. The strikes reportedly damaged energy infrastructure, although the extent of the damage was not immediately clear. Fires also broke out in the city, including fires involving trucks, according to preliminary reports. Ukrainian authorities had yet to provide a full assessment of the damage and casualties as of the initial reports. The reported first-ever KAB strike on Odesa is notable because the city lies significantly farther from the front line than many Ukrainian locations routinely targeted by Russia’s glide bombs. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.