What's happened
Ukraine has halted the use of the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb due to Russian electronic warfare tactics. Ukrainian forces are facing challenges with Western weapons systems that are not adapting quickly enough to counter Russian tactics. Despite US funding delays, Russia has not made significant gains in Ukraine. Ukraine successfully used a retired US air-defense system to shoot down Russian cruise missiles. The Russian Aerospace Forces have deployed a new destructive glide bomb in Ukraine, prompting Ukrainian President Zelensky to call for permission to use long-range missiles against Russian airfields.
What's behind the headline?
What the papers say
According to Business Insider UK, the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb has been pulled from use by the Ukrainian military due to Russian electronic warfare tactics. The Wall Street Journal reports that Ukrainian forces are frustrated with the lack of adaptation in Western weapons systems. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that US funding delays did not bolster Russia's fortunes in Ukraine. The Independent highlights Ukrainian President Zelensky's claim of over 800 glide bombs being fired by Russia at Ukraine in a week. Politico reports on Zelenskyy's call for the US to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian airfields.
How we got here
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been ongoing since 2014, with Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. The war has seen the use of various weapons systems and tactics by both sides, with Ukraine seeking support from Western allies to bolster its defenses. The adaptation of weapons and the introduction of new munitions reflect the evolving nature of the conflict and the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces in countering Russian aggression.
Go deeper
- How has Russia responded to Ukraine's use of the retired US air-defense system?
- What impact could the deployment of the new glide bomb have on the conflict in Ukraine?
- How are Western allies supporting Ukraine in countering Russian aggression?
Common question
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
