Russian forces shoot down three Ukrainian Neptune missiles

Russian air defence systems destroyed three long-range Neptune guided missiles and 97 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past 24 hours, Caliber.Az reports via the Russian Defence Ministry.

The ministry’s summary stated that retaliatory strikes targeted Ukraine’s fuel-energy infrastructure facilities, as well as ammunition and fuel depots, and locations used for storing and launching UAVs across 136 areas.

The attacks involved operational-tactical aviation, strike drones, rocket troops and artillery.

A few days back, on November 28, the Russian Defence Ministry reported a significant increase in Ukrainian long-range attacks, stating that Russian air defences intercepted more than 1,600 Ukrainian drones and at least five Neptune missiles over the month.

Independent conflict monitoring groups noted that Russia intensified its own long-range missile and drone campaign during November, repeatedly striking Ukrainian energy facilities, logistics hubs, and urban areas, resulting in substantial civilian and infrastructure damage.

The R-360 Neptune is a Ukrainian long-range, subsonic cruise missile system originally developed as an anti-ship weapon by the Luch Design Bureau and entered service in 2020. Its design is based on the Soviet Kh-35 but with a significantly extended range and upgraded guidance.

By Khagan Isayev