Footage released by the Ukrainian Air Force on Saturday shows Su-27 fighter jets equipped with American ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) missiles, mounted alongside R-27 and R-73 air-to-air missiles.
In the video, a Su-27 pilot described the decoys’ role: “Today, I conducted launches of ADM-160 MALD missiles. They are designed to absorb the main blow of enemy air defenses and create electronic interference. These missiles act as decoys for air defense systems.”
The ADM-160, developed by Raytheon, is a compact, cruise missile-like decoy designed to mislead and overwhelm enemy air defenses rather than strike targets. It weighs 115 kilograms and can travel more than 900 kilometers.
Advanced variants are capable of mimicking the electronic signature of specific aircraft or cruise missiles, making interception even more difficult.
Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet equipped with a US-supplied ADM-160 MALD decoy missile. pic.twitter.com/yE2NXnd9zq
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) August 22, 2025
Ukrainian forces first employed the MALD in 2023, when missile fragments were recovered after a strike on Russian-occupied Luhansk in May. By 2024, it was confirmed that MiG-29 fighter jets had been adapted to carry and launch the decoys.
