Russia drops record number of glide bombs on Ukraine as casualties pile up

What Happened

In July, Russian forces deployed 8,300 glide bombs, the highest monthly total of the war, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. Simultaneously, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 42,800 Russian casualties for the month, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attributing 30,272 of these losses to Ukrainian drone strikes. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that Russia occupied 37.85sq km of Ukrainian territory in July, while noting that Russia has lost a net 183.5sq km of territory throughout 2026. In response to Russian operations, Ukraine extended a 40-day air strike campaign on August 4, targeting Russian oil refineries, airfields, and drone production facilities. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed strikes on 14 refineries and four airfields, while the Kremlin’s ambassador-at-large, Rodion Miroshnik, reported widespread power outages in occupied Crimea, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia following strikes on 201 electricity substations.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The conflict is experiencing a shift in attrition dynamics, with Ukraine's drone-led strike campaign targeting Russia's domestic refining capacity and energy infrastructure in occupied territories. The record use of glide bombs by Russia highlights a persistent challenge for Ukrainian air defenses, while the high casualty rates reported by both sides raise questions regarding the sustainability of current Russian recruitment strategies and the potential for a large-scale mobilization of reservists.

Watch For

Monitor for potential Russian mobilization efforts in October, as anticipated by the Ukrainian government, and the continued impact of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refining capacity. Additionally, observe the status of Kostiantynivka, where Ukrainian forces face increasing pressure from Russian infiltration tactics.