Russian military forces have released footage they claim shows the destruction of a previously unreported Ukrainian air defense system equipped with APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) rockets, according to imagery and descriptions published by Russian sources.
The incident reportedly took place 50 kilometers from the frontline, where a Zala reconnaissance drone identified what appeared to be a truck-based air defense platform. Russian forces say the target was a DAF military truck equipped with an improvised launcher and fire-control system capable of deploying guided rockets.
In a video released by Russian military channels, a Lancet loitering munition is seen striking the vehicle, resulting in a fire. The footage suggests the system was not hardened or camouflaged, and the missile appears to have hit the upper structure of the launcher platform.
Russian media has reported that the launcher may have been adapted to use APKWS rounds—laser-guided rockets originally developed by BAE Systems and widely used in NATO militaries for precision engagements. These rockets are typically deployed from helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft but have also been adapted for ground-based applications.
The truck-mounted system reportedly included its own electro-optical sensor suite and a laser designator, allowing it to detect, track, and engage aerial targets autonomously or semi-autonomously. No identifying markings or visible radar components were seen in the footage, reinforcing assessments that this was a modular or improvised solution, rather than a factory-produced air defense system.