Ukrainian forces have carried out a precise aerial strike on a Russian military facility in the village of Kozinka, located in Russia’s Belgorod region, using a MiG-29 fighter jet equipped with a French-made AASM Hammer bomb. The attack specifically targeted a building housing Russian troops near the border, reportedly destroying multiple floors.
A video of the strike was released by the pro Ukrainian Sunflower Telegram channel, which is known for monitoring aviation operations. The caption accompanying the footage stated, “The hunt for Russian conscripts and border guards continues.” A reconnaissance drone operated by Ukraine later filmed the aftermath, confirming the hit on the intended target.
The strike was made possible by the use of the AASM Hammer, a high precision French guided bomb. Unlike American JDAM kits, which rely on glide capabilities alone, the AASM includes a small rocket motor. This allows the bomb to reach up to 15 kilometres when launched at low altitude and up to 70 kilometres from higher altitudes.
France has been actively supplying Ukraine with these advanced systems. In just four months, French defence company Safran successfully modified the AASM to be compatible with Ukrainian Soviet designed aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Su-25. Since 2023, France has delivered several hundred of these kits to Ukraine.
The AASM Hammer comes in two main variants — the Hammer-250, built for 227 kilogram Mk.82 bombs, and the heavier Hammer-1000, which fits 908 kilogram Mk.84 bombs. As of late 2024, testing of the heavier model was ongoing, with completion expected by year’s end.
In 2024 alone, France produced 830 AASM units — nearly 40 percent above its target — marking a significant rise in output compared to previous years. According to Safran, this represents a fourfold increase in production from 2022. Further expansion is already planned to meet the growing demand driven by the war in Ukraine.
