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Russia Claims First Kill of Ukraine’s US-Made AGM-188 Missiles, Then Erases the Evidence
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Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed for the first time that its air defense systems had intercepted US-made AGM-188A Rusty Dagger cruise missiles, a new long-range weapon developed for Ukraine. However, the ministry subsequently removed the announcement from its official channels without providing an explanation.
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According to Defence Blog on November 10, the Russian military did not specify how many missiles were allegedly intercepted or where the interceptions occurred. Ukrainian officials have not commented on the statement, and the reported interceptions remain unverified.
The AGM-188A Rusty Dagger is part of the US-developed Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) program, intended to provide Ukraine with an affordable air-launched precision weapon capable of striking targets hundreds of kilometers away.
Developed under an accelerated US Air Force program, the missile is manufactured by American defense company Zone 5 Technologies. It has a reported operational range of approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) and carries a 230-kilogram (500-pound) warhead.
Unlike more expensive long-range weapons such as Storm Shadow cruise missiles and ATACMS ballistic missiles, ERAM was designed with large-scale production and lower procurement costs in mind.
The US Air Force has also pursued additional production capacity, including plans to acquire another 1,000 ERAM missiles within 15 months, potentially increasing the availability of long-range precision weapons for Ukraine and other operators.
In August 2025, the US State Department approved a potential sale of up to 3,350 ERAM missiles to Ukraine, valued at approximately $825 million. The package was expected to be financed through contributions from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and US Foreign Military Financing.
Reports of possible Ukrainian use of the Rusty Dagger first emerged from Russian military-linked channels in June and August 2026, although neither account was independently confirmed.
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