The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Ukraine (And Everyone Else) Develops Glide Bombs || Peter Zeihan
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Sep 24, 2025 Ukraine has developed glide bombs, transforming traditional munitions into precision weapons with a range of 100 km. The podcast dives into how Russia has already employed similar technology to strike beyond air defenses. However, Ukraine's use is limited by various battlefield constraints. The discussion highlights a shift from U.S. dominance in guided bomb technology as other nations begin to replicate it. This loss of monopoly could signal a significant change in U.S. military strategy and its global influence.
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Ukraine Builds 100km Glide Bombs
- Ukraine has developed glide bombs by fitting guidance kits and wings to old dumb bombs, extending their range to ~100 km.
- That range lets strikes come from well beyond front lines, changing how targets like depots and convoys can be hit.
How Russia Used Glide-Converted Bombs
- Zeihan recounts how Russia has used glide-converted Soviet bombs to strike from outside air-defense envelopes for years.
- He describes their large blast radii and how dropping multiple bombs clears fortifications for follow-on forces.
Limited Utility For Ukraine's Battlefield Needs
- Ukraine's tactical context limits glide-bomb impact compared with Russia because Ukraine lacks the manpower to exploit breaches and faces layered minefields.
- First-person drones already handle many Ukrainian strike needs, so glide bombs are useful but not game-changing inside Ukraine.