20:57 01-05-2026

AFU May Use Graphite Weapons Against Russia

Experts assess possible AFU use of graphite weapons against Russia, targeting power grids, substations and facilities dependent on electricity.

Former commander of US Army Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, said that the AFU may use new munitions against Russia — graphite weapons.

These munitions work by detonating a warhead in the air and dispersing graphite filaments. When they land on power lines, transformers, and substations, they can cause short circuits. According to Hodges, graphite bombs can be used not only against civilian power grids but also against military facilities dependent on electricity, including command-and-control systems, headquarters, and air defense positions.

Russian media earlier reported that the AFU had already used graphite munitions in drone strikes in Donbass on April 5, but power supply was not disrupted at that time.

Military expert Vladimir Popov, cited by NG, said that in the event of mass use, the spread of graphite filaments could be significant. Short circuits could disable substations, transformers, and power lines. According to him, this poses the greatest danger to large cities, where industrial facilities, transport systems, and residential districts depend on electricity.

At the same time, Popov believes that graphite munitions will have limited effectiveness on the front line, since military facilities usually have backup power sources. In his assessment, General Hodges is exaggerating the threat of Ukrainian graphite bombs as part of the information confrontation.

Military expert Yuri Knutov expressed a similar view. He believes graphite bombs cannot play a decisive role in the SMO zone, but their use against nuclear energy facilities could pose a serious danger.

Experts also suggested that the AFU may be using not their own developments, but US munitions with graphite filaments, previously used by the Pentagon in Iran, Iraq, and the former Yugoslavia. According to Russian analysts, such shells may have been transferred to Kiev amid continued US arms supplies.