ShOAB-0.5 improvised hand grenade

14 May 2025

This Bulletin follows reports that Ukrainian forces are fielding ShOAB-0.5 submunitions with improvised pyrotechnic fuzing, due to a shortage of hand grenades.

Due to a reported shortage of hand grenades, it is claimed that Ukrainian forces are fielding ShOAB-0.5 submunitions with improvised pyrotechnic fuzing
The shortage of hand grenades is due to their extensive use as uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) delivered munitions
A hole is drilled in the side of the ShOAB-0.5, with a length of safety fuze projecting outwards
Internally, the spin-armed ShOAB-0.5 fuze is replaced by the high-explosive (HE) component from a .50 Browning (12.7x99) HE round and a high temperature pyrotechnic composition
The safety fuze is ignited and the munition is thrown. Once burned internally, the composition is ignited, initiating the HE capsule and detonating the submunition

METIS Links

Munitions: ShOAB-0.5 and ShOAB-0.5m

Source Information *

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