Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed Ukraine has successfully combat tested its new domestically-produced Long Neptune missile with a range of 621 miles.
This puts Russian capital Moscow within its range with Zelensky saying that Kyiv has had ‘significant results’ on its missile programme aimed at providing its own security against the threat of Vladimir Putin.
‘Long Neptune has been tested and successfully used in combat,’ he said.
‘A new Ukrainian missile, an accurate strike. The range is a thousand kilometres [621 miles].
‘Thank you to our Ukrainian developers, manufacturers and military. We continue to work to guarantee Ukrainian security.’
Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ suggested that Friday’s dramatic strike at Tuapse Oil refinery may have been by the new Neptune, which is a development of the earlier version of the weapon which sank Putin’s Black Sea Fleet flagship, Moskva in 2022.
‘There is an assumption that it was [the new] Neptune,’ said the channel.
Ten explosions were heard when the strike came. However, there was no official confirmation, and a missile – rather than long-range drone – strike might have caused far more mayhem.
Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed Ukraine has successfully combat tested its new domestically-produced Long Neptune missile with a range of 621 miles
This puts Russian capital Moscow within its range with Zelensky saying that Kyiv has had ‘significant results’ on its missile programme aimed at providing its own security against the threat of Vladimir Putin
Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ suggested that Friday’s dramatic strike at Tuapse Oil refinery (pictured) may have been by the new Neptune
Yet the Tuapse refinery, a key supplier to the Russian military machine, was still burning 36 hours after it was hit, as seen in dramatic footage.
The refinery is just 55 miles from Putin’s £1 billion clifftop palace at Gelendzhik on the Black Sea, and the strike was a warning to him.
Another devastating hit came on Friday when Ukraine flattened the local history museum in Sudzha soon after the Kursk region town fell back in Russian hands.
It was not clear if this may have been a Long Neptune strike.
But there was also a claim in January that the new version of Neptune had destroyed a major Russian drone warehouse in the village of Chaltyr, in Rostov region, triggering a giant fireball.
Today’s announcement on the Long Neptune comes amid reports that the new government in Germany under incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz is likely to approve deployment of long range Taurus missiles – each costing up to £1.25 million – to Ukraine.
It has double the range of the British Storm Shadow missile, which Ukraine has not used in recent weeks.
Yet the new Ukrainian missile has double the range of the German Taurus.
The weapon was originally designed as an anti-ship missile but has been adapted during the war to hit land targets, and now to strike at a long distance
Today’s announcement on the Long Neptune comes amid reports that the new government in Germany under incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz is likely to approve deployment of long range Taurus missiles
The long-range Neptune is made by manufacturer Luch Design Bureau.
The weapon was originally designed as an anti-ship missile but has been adapted during the war to hit land targets, and now to strike at a long distance.
Earlier today, Keir Starmer said Putin will have to negotiate on Ukraine ‘sooner or later’ as the Prime Minister begins fresh talks with coalition partners – with military chiefs set to meet this week to discuss ‘operational’ plans for a peacekeeping force.
Speaking after a video call with 25 world leaders, the PM said the Russian despot would need to ‘come to the table’, adding: ‘This is the moment – let the guns fall silent… and agree to the ceasefire now.’
He outlined the importance of Britain’s interest in the ceasefire, recapping how the invasion of Ukraine had pushed up the cost of living and energy prices.
But the PM – who stood at a lectern labelled with the slogan ‘Securing Our Future’ – he failed to answer questions today on whether he has a ‘Plan B’: on what happens if Putin fails to come to the table.
Attacking the ‘dithering’ of Russian officials, Sir Keir said military leaders would meet in the UK on Thursday as plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine move into an ‘operational phase’ that could see British ‘troops on the ground and planes in the sky’.
He told a press conference in Downing Street: ‘We agreed to accelerate our practical work to support a potential deal. So, we will now move into an operational phase.
‘Our militaries will meet on Thursday this week here in the United Kingdom to put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s future security.’
