Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed Ukraine has successfully combat tested its new domestically-produced Long Neptune missile with a range of 621 miles.
This meams6is 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. 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.
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.
