Ukraine Has New ‘Neptune’ Missile for Deep Strikes Into Russia

• Ukraine has a brand new model of its Neptune missile with an extended vary.
• Kyiv mentioned the brand new weapon, which has a attain of over 600 miles, has already been utilized in fight.
• The Neptune started as an anti-ship cruise missile that was later modified for land assault missions.

Ukraine has a brand new model of its do-it-yourself Neptune cruise missile for longer vary, increasing the nation’s deep-strike arsenal, and it has already used the weapon towards Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned on Saturday that he obtained “important” information on the nation’s missile program, particularly that the “Lengthy Neptune” had been examined and efficiently utilized in fight.

“A brand new Ukrainian missile, an correct strike. The vary is a thousand kilometers (or 620 miles),” Zelenskyy mentioned in a submit on the Telegram messaging platform. “Thanks to our Ukrainian builders, producers, and navy. We proceed to work to ensure Ukrainian safety.”

The Lengthy Neptune missile is an even bigger model of Kyiv’s R-360 Neptune anti-ship missile, a subsonic truck-launched munition that Ukraine beforehand modified to strike land targets. It’s made by the Ukrainian protection producer Luch Design Bureau.

The brand new “Lengthy Neptune” missile has been within the works for a while. Final 12 months, Ukrainian Protection Minister Rustem Umerov mentioned that serial manufacturing of the missiles had expanded and that they have been being upgraded to strike at longer ranges. The munition might beforehand hit targets over 200 miles away. The brand new model roughly triples its vary.

Ukraine has used Neptune missiles to strike high-value Russian targets, together with the cruiser Moskva, as soon as the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, within the early days of the full-scale invasion. The missile has additionally been used to assault high-end air protection batteries and oil terminals.

The “Lengthy Neptune” missile was reportedly used late final week to strike an oil refinery within the Russian metropolis of Tuapse, some 300 miles from the entrance strains. It marked considered one of Ukraine’s newest strikes concentrating on Moscow’s power sector as Kyiv appears to deprive its neighbor of essential income.

The brand new missile exceeds the ranges of the ground- and air-launched missiles Ukraine obtained from its Western companions. The weapon comes as Kyiv’s booming protection trade turns into more and more self-reliant.

The Neptune is a part of a rising arsenal of do-it-yourself munitions as Ukraine appears to strengthen its deep-strike capabilities with missiles and drones. Kyiv has used its arsenal to hit key Russian airfields, ammunition storage warehouses, and power amenities.