Ukraine’s ‘Equalizer’ bomb aims to blow up reliance on US, European weapons

Ukraine is buying a homegrown glide bomb that could help its pilots strike Russian forces from a safer distance while relying less on weapons supplied by the U.S. and Europe.

The new weapon is called the Vyrivniuvach, or "Equalizer." It was developed by Ukrainian company DG Industry with support from Brave1, a government-backed defense technology group.

A Ukrainian military official told Ukrinform that the bomb has finished testing and is now being bought for the armed forces.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense for more details.

Until now, Ukraine’s warplanes have relied heavily on U.S.-supplied JDAM-ER bomb kits and Small Diameter Bombs, as well as French-made Hammer bombs, for precision strikes from safer distances.

The Equalizer could give Kyiv more control over its own supply of guided bombs as foreign military aid remains uncertain. 'A NEW KIND OF WAR': INSIDE UKRAINE'S HIDDEN FACTORIES MASS-PRODUCING COMBAT DRONES The Equalizer turns a conventional bomb into a precision weapon by adding wings and guidance systems.

It is designed to be dropped from Ukraine’s MiG-29, Su-24 and Su-27 warplanes, allowing pilots to attack targets farther behind Russian lines while staying farther away from Russian air defenses.

Brave1 told The War Zone that the bomb could eventually be used by Ukraine’s donated F-16 and Mirage fighter jets, but it needs additional certification before that can happen.

Russia’s use of glide bombs has become one of the most punishing parts of the war for Ukrainian troops and towns near the front.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said Russian forces dropped more than 8,300 guided aerial bombs in July — the highest monthly total of the war and an average of more than 267 bombs a day.

Russia’s wider air assault has also intensified in recent days.

A Russian missile-and-drone barrage on Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight killed at least 16 people and wounded about 40, Ukrainian officials said Thursday.

The attack damaged homes, a school and a children’s hospital.

RUSSIA LAUNCHES BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACK ON KYIV HOURS AFTER ZELENSKYY WARNS OF MAJOR STRIKE The Equalizer does not make Ukraine fully independent from foreign supply chains.