Ukraine claims Russia majorly using guided bombs and advance weapons: Report

Russian forces recently have increased attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure using advanced weapons. An analysis report by Kyiv claimed that Russia has been aiding its advances in Ukraine with the help of mass use of "drop-and-forget" guided bombs containing foreign components.

The report, which has been obtained by the UK-based newspaper The Guardian, mentioned that high explosive and cluster bombs have apparently become a central threat on the frontline. Such weaponry has forced back Ukrainian forces. As per the report, these bombs are fitted with "UMPC" - short for Universal Module for Planning & Correction, guiding systems with a range of 40-60km.

The analysis said that these weapons are fired from a distance by aircraft which also "played a key role in the destruction of Avdiivka and the seizure of its ruins by Russia".

Add WION as a Preferred Source

As quoted, the Ukrainian analysts write: "Russia uses UMPC bombs primarily to its targets in frontline areas, minimising the possibility of its own aircraft being hit by Ukrainian air defences. In just one week, from 26 February to 3 March, Russia used more than 500 [guided aerial bombs with a mounted UMPC]".

The report mentioned that the freefalling Soviet design bombs used by the Russian military are being easily transformed into guided ones. It is done by adding a UMPC "planning and correction module", cheap wings and satellite navigation systems to the existing bombs.

Russian forces captured the bastion town of Avdiivka in February, with Ukrainian soldiers facing long-term shortages of advanced and precision weapons. Avdiivka emerged to be the biggest gain since capturing Bakhmut last year in May.

Recently, Ukrainian forces claimed that they are still in control of the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine despite attempts by Russian troops to break through their defences.

While Russia claimed to have made a rapid advance on Chasiv Yar, which is a heavily fortified town with a pre-war population of 12,200 and situated west of the ruined Russia-occupied city of Bakhmut. Russian victory in Chasiv Yar would be a grim setback for Kyiv.

Watch:War amputee returns to civilian life, meet Oleksander Revtiukh, who lost his leg in action

Ukraine passes bill to overhaul army draft rules

War-ravaged Ukraine passed a bill on Thursday (April 11) to overhaul how the armed forces would draft civilians into its ranks. This comes after a general told the chamber that Russian forces outnumbered Kyiv's troops by upto ten times on the battlefield in the east.

The bill aims to boost the number of troops after more than two years of Russia's full-scale invasion. The bill was overtly backed by the military.

"Pass this law and the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not let down you or the Ukrainian people," General Yuriy Sodol, commander of the joint forces, told lawmakers.

"We are maintaining our defences with our last strength," he further said as lawmakers stood up and applauded.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

(With inputs from agencies)