Russia accidentally bombs itself 143 times during Ukraine war
December 31, 2025
According to the Russian-language OSINT group, ASTRA, Russia dropped at least 143 aerial bombs on itself during 2025. It is unclear how many Ukraine may have dropped on its territory, although the Ukrainian Air Force is operating at a lower tempo.
Russia accidentally drops 143 bombs on itself in 2025
Today, ASTRA stated, “At least 143 aerial bombs were dropped by Russia on its own and occupied territories in 2025.” The number is based on ASTRA’s own calculations. These include 135 FABs, 7 UMPBs, and three missiles.
The OSINT account says it has learned of at least three more FAB bombs that “malfunctioned and fell off Russian military aircraft during December. None of these incidents is known to have resulted in casualties.
One of these fell on the 22nd, just 350 metres from a school in the occupied village of Tarasovka in Ukraine’s Luhansk Oblast that Russia has illegally annexed. The bomb (weighing 250 kgs) was found unexploded in a field.
Another was found a short distance from the Belgorod village of Batratskaya Dacha, around 300 metres from the nearest settlement.
A Russian Tor surface-to-air missile system fires at itself somewhere in Ukraine
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) June 12, 2023
Unknown date and location.
📹https://t.co/JXzs4m38Ie pic.twitter.com/Mdwty8n9rX
FAB means Fugasnaya Aviatsionnaya Bomba, or High-Explosive Aerial Bomb in English. UMPB stands for Unified Multi-Purpose Planning Munition.
Sometimes the bombs cause damage
ASTRA wrote, “The Russian authorities try to conceal such incidents, and when civilians are among those affected by falling Russian aerial bombs, they report that the causes were attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Sometimes these fall with tragic results. A Russian bomber recently dropped a FAB on the Russian city of Belgorod. The bomb exploded close to a residential building. One person was injured, and the power was knocked out for 15,000 residents.
On December 12, the Russian Air Force dropped a large bomb on the grounds of Belogord’s Kindergarten No. 55. Over 1,800 people then had to be evacuated from the area.
Accidentally dropping at least 143 aerial bombs on itself in 2025 is actually a decrease from ASTRA’s 2024 numbers, when it counted at least 165 FABs falling onto Russian zones.
Many of these bombs are dumb bombs equipped with satellite-navigated glide kits. These allow Russia to launch its munitions outside of Ukrainian-controlled airspace from dozens or hundreds of kilometres away. It is another reminder that after almost four years of fighting, the Russian Air Force has proven itself unable to secure air superiority over Ukraine.
💥 Russia bombed itself again tonight in Belgorod. pic.twitter.com/GnpTfS6buG
— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) July 1, 2024
Outside observers have noted how, over time, Russia’s glide bombs have improved. They are now able to glide at much greater distances and are far more accurate. However, sometimes they don’t reach their targets and fall on Russian territory.
Get the latest aerospace defence news here on AGN.
Russia’s Air Force holding steady, but at a subdued tempo
Russia’s air force has been able to sustain a lower but steady sortie rate, although considerably down from the 250-300 sorties per day seen early in the war.
The OSINT account, Oryx, has catalogued a total of 150 Russian combat aircraft destroyed and another 24 damaged over the course of the conflict. These are independently verified with images and other supporting evidence. Numbers include aircraft lost to accidents.
Many of these have been destroyed on the ground, although some have been shot down. Russian aircraft production has likely kept up with these losses, but not with accelerated wear and tear and general obsolescence that comes with its aging air force.
Sometimes, Russia has preferred to blame friendly fire for the shootdown of its aircraft, rather than credit Ukraine for the kill. Examples include when Ukraine shot down two of Russia’s rare A-50U Mainstay AWACS aircraft.
Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons
