29.10.2026
Source: NSDC
Ukraine has developed the Long Neptune missile based on the Neptune anti-ship missile, which was adopted in 2020. The new modification was tested and used in combat conditions, and in October 2025 it was used to strike the Russian Borisoglebsk airfield in the Voronezh region.
The history of the creation and development of Ukrainian missiles of the “Neptune” family is described by the publication Military . According to the data provided, the new version received a longer body, an increased diameter and a modified nose. It was designed to destroy ground targets, in particular objects deep in enemy territory.
From an anti-ship missile
The development of Neptune began in 2010 at the Luch design bureau on the initiative of its head Oleg Korostelov. Initially, the work was financed by the enterprise’s own funds, and in 2012 the state opened research and development work on the creation of a new missile.
After the occupation of Crimea in 2014, Ukraine lost part of its naval forces and coastal missile systems. This increased the need to develop its own weapons to counter Russian ships.
R-360 missile of the Neptune complex. 2020.Source: militarnyi.com
The first public flight tests of the Neptune took place on January 30, 2018. In December of the same year, the missile destroyed a surface target, covering a route 280 km long. And on August 23, 2020, the coastal missile complex RK-360МЦ “Neptune” was officially adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
New opportunities
The initial version of the R-360 missile was intended primarily for destroying ships. Its firing range was from 7 to 280 km, and the warhead weight was 150 kg. In flight over the sea, the missile could stay at an altitude of 3–10 m above the waves and reach a speed of about 900 km/h.
Launcher of the RK-360MTs “Neptune” complex, on the KrAZ chassis.Source: militarnyi.com
However, during a full-scale war, a modification capable of hitting targets deep inland was needed. This required a different guidance system and an enlarged warhead.
The development of such a missile became known in the spring of 2023. In December of the same year, the then Deputy Minister of Defense Ivan Havrylyuk publicly called the new modification “Long Neptune.”
Range up to 1000 km
In March 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Long Neptune had passed tests and was successfully used in combat.
The first official photo of the Long Neptune cruise missile.Source: militarnyi.com
The new missile received the R-360L index. Compared to the initial version, it has a longer body, a larger diameter, a modified nose, and enlarged rudders.
According to the published characteristics, the Neptune-D missile has the following parameters:
- – Flight range – up to 1000 km.
- – Length – about 6 m
- – Housing diameter – 500 mm.
- – Warhead weight – 260 kg.
It is also claimed to be able to fly over difficult terrain, navigate without satellite navigation, and target ground targets. Missile weapons researcher Fabian Hoffmann suggests that the missile could use the TERCOM terrain correction system, which helps navigate in the absence of satellite signals.
Updated launcher
“Long Neptune” received a new launcher on the Tatra chassis. It has two large transport-launch containers of square cross-section. The new design was probably chosen due to the increased dimensions of the rocket, which made it difficult to use the old installation.
Launcher of the Neptune anti-ship complex on a Tatra chassis.Source: militarnyi.com
On the night of November 14, 2025, Volodymyr Zelenskyy first released a video with an updated launch platform.ADVERTISING
At the same time, Ukraine was developing other variants of the Neptune family of missiles. In October 2025, the Ministry of Defense showed the Lithuanian delegation another configuration, called the “Fat Neptune.” Two side inlets for additional fuel are visible on its body.
Ukrainian cruise missile “Neptune”, which was shown in October 2025.Source: militarnyi.com
Official specifications for this version have not been released. It is estimated that it could have a warhead weighing 150 kg and a flight range of 400–600 km.ADVERTISING
Attack on the airfield
On October 15, the Ukrainian Defense Forces launched a strike with Long Neptune missiles on the Borisoglebsk airfield in the Voronezh region of Russia. According to the information provided in the material, at least four Russian Su-34 bombers were destroyed in the attack, and two more aircraft were damaged.
This strike was one of the examples of the combat use of a Ukrainian missile to destroy ground military targets at a considerable distance.
The Neptune missile, originally designed to combat ships, has evolved into a family of weapons with different configurations and purposes. At the same time, some of the characteristics of the new modifications remain unpublished.
Comparison of three versions of Ukrainian Neptune cruise missiles.Source: militarnyi.com
Previously, OBOZ.UA talked about the Storm Shadow, Neptune, and Flamingo missiles: where they hit and how much they cost.