Russian Forces Recover Fully Intact American APKWS II Missile

Russian Troops Recover Intact US-Made APKWS II Missile

23:21 29-09-2026

Russian troops recovered an intact US-made APKWS II missile used by Ukrainian forces against Geran drones and carried by F-16AM fighter jets.

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Russian troops have recovered a fully intact U.S.-made APKWS II missile, or Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II, on one section of the front.

The Telegram channel Voyenny Osvedomitel published images showing a Russian serviceman standing next to the American munition. According to the channel, Ukrainian forces use APKWS II missiles against Geran-type drones. The weapon is also carried by F-16AM fighter jets.

The channel reported that the missile had failed to function and was recovered by Russian forces in completely intact condition.

The APKWS system is designed to convert unguided Hydra 70 rockets into precision-guided munitions. It uses a WGU-59/B guidance section equipped with an inertial navigation system and an optical seeker. The missile’s configuration allows such warheads to be used without placing a laser designator in the nose section.

The first reports of APKWS deliveries to Ukraine emerged in 2022, when the Pentagon approved a $300 million military aid package for Kiev that included these missiles. The United States later continued supplying them on multiple occasions.