Ukrainian forces have successfully downed a Russian missile using the APKWS system for the first time.

The Navy forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have successfully shot down a Russian guided missile X-59 for the first time using the laser-guided APKWS system during another missile attack by the Russian Federation, a system that was previously only used to intercept "Shahed" drones.

This was reported by Defense Express.

According to the publication, on January 25, the Navy of the AFU released a video showing the crew of one of the boats destroying a Russian air-to-surface missile X-59, which the enemy intended to use to attack the infrastructure of the "Yuzhny" port.

Analysts note that the X-59 missile was successfully intercepted using APKWS. This is likely the first, at least publicly acknowledged, instance where the Defense Forces managed to shoot down a guided missile specifically with the laser-guidance system.

APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) is a precision weapon that combines unguided 70-mm Hydra 70 rockets with a semi-active laser guidance module. The transfer of such missiles from Germany was first reported in 2023, and the first video of their use against Russians appeared in the summer, as stated by the publication.

APKWS missiles are used in Vampire rocket systems. A total of 14 such systems were ordered for the Defense Forces as part of defense assistance, all of which have already been delivered to our military and, as we can see, are effectively utilized against both Russian drones and missiles, notes Defense Express.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that the GUR warriors destroyed an aerial target for the first time in the world using the Magura V5 sea drone.