The Ukrainian Air Force has confirmed the operational use of the GBU-62 JDAM-ER guided bombs supplied by the United States, launched from its MiG-29 fighters against Russian positions. The information emerged following the release of an official video showing Ukrainian air units striking a bridge used by occupation forces in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the statement published in Ukrainian, the Air Force noted that its aviation “continues destroying the enemy’s logistics in all directions.” It added: “Our Falcons aboard MiG-29s launched a delightful GBU-62 bomb on the Zaporizhzhia road bridge used by the enemy occupation forces.” The statement concluded by affirming that “the work continues.”
During the maneuver, which specifically took place in the contested city of Kupiansk, the aircraft maintains a low altitude in disputed airspace and then rapidly climbs to increase bombing range. After the strike, the Ukrainian MiG-29 returns to the rear area, avoiding Russian countermeasures.
Integration of Western weaponry on Soviet-era platforms
Ukraine’s use of JDAM-ER represents progress in a process that began in 2023, when the United States announced its intention to equip the Ukrainian Air Force with this type of guided munition. According to information released at the time, the JDAM-ERs—GPS-guided, glide-capable bombs—were included in the military assistance package announced on December 21, 2022.
Officially, the Pentagon had reported only the transfer of “precision aerial munitions,” without specifying models. Journalistic confirmation later clarified the introduction of this capability, raising questions regarding the integration of JDAM-ER on MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft.
This process was not new for Ukraine. In 2022, the Air Force managed to modify its MiG-29 Fulcrums and Su-27 Flankers to employ AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles. Although the technical details were not disclosed, public images showed adaptations such as the use of the LAU-188A pylon. This capability enabled missions to suppress and destroy enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD), forcing Russian forces to adopt countermeasures.
Background: rapid integration of AASM and other Western systems
In March 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed another advance: the integration of the AASM guided bombs supplied by France. President Emmanuel Macron had announced the delivery in January of that year, which included several hundred AASM kits and aerial bombs, along with SCALP-EG cruise missiles.
The incorporation of the AASM/HAMMER kit reinforced a pattern observed since the start of the Russian invasion: cooperation between Ukraine and its allies to adapt Soviet-origin platforms to Western weaponry. Among the integrated systems are AGM-88 HARM, Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG cruise missiles, JDAM-ER guided bombs, Zuni rocket launchers, and Hydra rockets.
The case of the SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow missiles was highlighted by MBDA itself. Its CEO, Eric Béranger, stated that the company was able to work “without limitations,” which enabled results to be achieved in exceptionally short timeframes, whereas under normal conditions such integration would have required “several years.”
A new milestone for the Ukrainian Air Force
The confirmed use of GBU-62 JDAM-ER bombs from MiG-29s expands the long-range precision-strike capabilities of Ukrainian aviation. The combination of these glide munitions with Soviet-era aircraft reflects ongoing efforts to sustain and improve deep-strike capacity against Russian military infrastructure.
The strike on the bridge in Zaporizhzhia demonstrates that JDAM-ERs are now integrated, deployed, and in active use—adding to the array of Western weaponry that Ukraine has successfully incorporated into its combat fleet.
Cover image for illustrative purposes only.
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