Russian Aerospace Forces have expanded the use of high-explosive fragmentation incendiary aerial bombs, beginning to deploy them not only against targets deep inside enemy defenses but also along the front line. This was reported by Russian sources.

According to these reports, domestic industry has increased production of the OFZAB-500 aerial bomb. Previously considered relatively rare and mainly used against fortified facilities in the enemy’s rear, these munitions are now being employed against AFU strongpoints and fortified areas on the line of contact. The OFZAB-500 continues to be carried by Su-34 frontline bombers. Since 2024, the bombs have been equipped with a Universal Planning and Correction Module (UMPK).

Sources claim the strikes are being carried out not only against infrastructure but also against personnel, destroying trenches and dugouts. The use of OFZAB-500 bombs against enemy positions is said to cause panic, as the weapon delivers combined effects — high-explosive, fragmentation, and thermal — igniting everything within the strike zone.

The OFZAB-500 was first used without the UMPK in Syria in 2015. The bomb was developed by NPO Bazalt. Its stated blast radius is up to 290 meters, with temperatures at the epicenter exceeding 900 degrees Celsius.