Russia claims first AGM-188 missile intercept, then deletes statement
Russia’s Defense Ministry has for the first time claimed that its air defenses shot down AGM-188A Rusty Dagger cruise missiles, the U.S.-made weapons better known as ERAM, or Extended Range Attack Munition. The statement was later deleted from the ministry’s official accounts without explanation.
The ministry gave no details of where or how many of the missiles were intercepted, and Ukraine has not commented on the claim. Neither side’s claims could be independently verified.
ERAM is a low-cost, air-launched cruise missile that the U.S. Air Force developed on a fast timeline to supply Ukraine with a long-range strike weapon in large numbers. The U.S. Air Force built the cheap cruise missile in record time, with Zone 5 Technologies producing the AGM-188A version. The missile can fly up to about 450 km (280 miles) and carries a 230 kg (500-pound) warhead, public data show.
The U.S. State Department approved the sale of up to 3,350 ERAMs to Ukraine in August 2025, in a deal estimated at $825 million. Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and U.S. Foreign Military Financing were expected to pay for it. Ukraine’s F-16 fighters are expected to be the main launch platform.
The first suspected uses of Rusty Dagger by Ukraine were reported by Russian military channels in June and August, but those reports could not be confirmed. Russian sources later said they had recovered parts from one of the missiles, and Moscow also said Ukraine used new AGM-188 missiles in a Voronezh strike.
The ministry’s claim, if accurate, would be the first official Russian acknowledgment that the missiles are being fired at targets inside Russia. Its removal leaves open whether the statement was published in error, contained inaccurate information, or was withdrawn for another reason.
ERAM is designed to be cheap enough to buy in the thousands, giving Ukraine more missiles for long-range strikes than it could get from expensive weapons such as Storm Shadow or ATACMS. The U.S. Air Force is also looking to expand production, and wants 1,000 more ERAM missiles within 15 months.
Source: Defence Blog
