Several Russian air-launched ballistic missiles X-47M2 Dagger (AS-24 Killjoy according to NATO classification) have been shot down by the air defense forces of Ukraine in recent days, according to a defense intelligence report published on Twitter by the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning.

“On May 3, 2023, Ukraine achieved the first ever shoot-down of a KILLJOY air-launched ballistic missile. Subsequently, Russia has prioritised attempting to neutralise Ukraine’s improved air defence capabilities, but in the process has likely lost several more KILLJOY … The apparent vulnerability of KILLJOY is likely a surprise and an embarrassment for Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted the system as undefeatable,” the report reads.

The intelligence service notes the escalation of air battles over the Russian-Ukrainian border. “On 13 May 2023 alone, four Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) aircraft (two advanced combat jets and two helicopters) crashed, apparently shot down over Russia’s Bryansk region … The increased air threat over Russia’s border region will be of exceptional concern for the VKS because it uses the area to launch air power in support of the war,” the message says.