Russia Deploys Cluster Bombs Packed with Metal Balls on a Massive Scale

How Russian Forces Are Upgrading Their Arsenal

According to Главком: Occupying Russian troops are modernizing their weaponry, increasingly turning to cluster munitions. One such device is the ShOAB-0.5 aerial bomb, which releases silver-colored metal spheres measuring 6–7 cm in diameter. Alarmingly, up to 30% of these submunitions fail to detonate on impact, essentially turning them into delayed-action explosives. These time-delayed hazards can also be found inside certain attack drones.

“This aerial bomb dispenses silver metallic balls about 6–7 cm across, resembling tennis balls or large ball bearings.”

- Oleksandr Zaruba, Chief Research Officer at the State Scientific Research Institute for Testing and Certification of Weapons and Military Equipment

Surge in Attacks and Emerging Drone Technology

By 2026, analysts recorded a sharp increase in assaults using jet-powered Shahed drones. Russia continues refining its unmanned systems, notably the new Geran-5, designed like a cruise missile. However, the most widely used drone remains the Geran-2-a direct copy of Iran’s Shahed-136.

Military personnel are urging civilians to exercise extreme caution, emphasizing that these explosive components may not detonate right away-sometimes taking hours or even days. People are strongly advised not to tamper with or attempt to dismantle downed Shahed drones for spare parts, as any contact with unexploded elements could trigger a deadly blast.

In short, Russia persists in deploying and upgrading its arsenal, incorporating cutting-edge technology and novel attack methods. This trend is raising serious concerns among military experts and the civilian population, who risk becoming victims of these dangerous weapons.

The escalating use of cluster bombs and the modernization of drones highlight both the intensification of the conflict and Russia’s tactical adaptation. For civilians, heightened vigilance is absolutely critical, as these new technologies can have unpredictable and lethal consequences. As hostilities continue, the international community remains watchful, underscoring the urgent need for measures to protect innocent lives.

As Russia continues to enhance its military capabilities, the upgrades to Shahed drones used in attacks against Ukraine reveal a troubling trend in modern warfare. These advancements not only increase the frequency of assaults but also pose heightened risks to civilians, especially with the potential for unexploded ordnance from cluster munitions. Understanding the implications of these developments is crucial for grasping the broader context of the ongoing conflict.