Navy shoots down X-59 missile with APKWS making history — video

Navy managede to destroy an X-59 aircraft missile that Russians fired at the civilian infrastructure of the Pivdennyi commercial sea port. Probably, it was shot down from the Vampire installation.

This was reported by Defense Express on Saturday, January 26.

Shooting down a Russian missile from APKWS

According to the Navy, the X-59 missile was destroyed by the crew of one of the boats. Judging by the video, it is likely that the enemy target was shot down using APKWS. This is the first public case of such work. Previously, the Navy showed Vampire missile launchers under APKWS shooting down enemy drones.

What is known about the APKWS system

APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) is a highly accurate weapon. It combines unguided 70 mm Hydra 70 missiles with a semi-active laser guidance unit. Germany first delivered such missiles to Ukraine in 2022.

APKWS missiles are used in Vampire missile systems. The Ukrainian Army has ordered 14 of these systems. The delivery of the first four units took about six months.

As a reminder, Ukrainian defenders shot down most of the drones that Russians used to attack the cities on the night of January 26. In total, more than 70 airborne targets were launched.

On the night of January 26, the Ukrainian military attacked the Ryazan oil refinery. As a result of another attack, a fire broke out at the site.