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$25K Rocket Takes Down Russia’s Kh-69 “Stealth” Cruise Missile in Ukraine
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian air defense units successfully shot down one of Russia’s newest Kh-69 cruise missiles using a low-cost laser-guided APKWS interceptor, according to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The engagement took place overnight on October 10 in the area of responsibility of the Air Command “East.”
The Air Force Command published footage of the interception, later analyzed by OSINT expert OSINTtechnical, who identified the interceptor as an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS).
Footage of a Ukrainian Vampire/BRAWLR SAM system shooting down a Russian Kh-69 cruise missile with a low-cost APKWS laser-guided rocket.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) October 10, 2025
Confirms that the platform, initially intended as an anti-drone weapon, can also successfully down higher-end threats. pic.twitter.com/BrfaOQri8K
“Footage of a Ukrainian Vampire/BRAWLR SAM system shooting down a Russian Kh-69 cruise missile with a low-cost APKWS laser-guided rocket,” the analyst wrote on X, adding that the platform—initially designed to counter drones—has proven capable of destroying higher-tier threats as well.
The APKWS, developed by BAE Systems, converts 70mm unguided Hydra rockets into precision-guided munitions by adding a semi-active laser seeker. Each round costs around $25,000, significantly less than traditional surface-to-air missiles. Ukraine has employed these systems since 2023, primarily for drone defense.
The Kh-69 missile, meanwhile, represents one of Russia’s most advanced air-launched cruise weapons. Originally introduced as the Kh-59MK2 in 2009 and later redesigned with stealth features in 2015, the missile was built by the Raduga Design Bureau. It can be deployed from aircraft such as the Su-30SM, Su-34, Su-35S, MiG-29K, and Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter.
The Kh-69 has a launch weight of about 710 kilograms, carries a 310-kilogram warhead, and can strike targets up to 290 kilometers away at speeds between 700 and 1,000 kilometers per hour.
Russia began using the missile operationally against Ukraine in early 2024. The interception occurred during one of the largest combined missile and drone attacks on Ukraine this month.
On the night of October 10, Russia launched over 460 aerial threats, including Shahed drones, Kinzhal and Iskander ballistic missiles, and several Kh-59/69 cruise missiles.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down the majority of incoming targets, including 405 drones and multiple ballistic and cruise missiles, according to official reports.
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