Iskander missile destroys Ukrainian Neptune launcher

Shortly after firing, a Ukrainian Neptune missile launcher was destroyed by a Russian Iskander-M ballistic missile, causing a loaded missile to self-detonate.

The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video on 29/8 showing a drone (UAV) spotting a Ukrainian R-360 Neptune missile launcher near the settlement of Lyubitskoye in the Zaporizhzhia province.

The video shows the Neptune launcher firing a missile, followed by an Iskander-M ballistic missile striking near the launcher's position. The attack damaged the Neptune launcher and detonated a missile loaded in its launch tube. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 10 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the attack.

Footage of the Ukrainian Neptune launcher being struck by a Russian Iskander-M missile, released on 29/8. Video: Russian Ministry of Defense

Ukraine has not yet commented on the report.

In an announcement on 28/8, the Ukrainian Air Force Command stated that Russia launched 598 Geran-series UAVs and decoy aircraft, two Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, 9 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles at multiple targets within the country.

Ukrainian air defenses reported shooting down 563 various UAVs, one Kinzhal missile, 7 Iskander-M missiles, and 18 Kh-101 missiles, but the remaining aircraft and missiles reached their targets. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian UAVs and missiles hit 13 locations, with debris falling in 26 areas.

Ukraine first unveiled the Neptune cruise missile in 2014, but the weapon remained largely unnoticed until Kyiv claimed to have used it to sink the Moskva cruiser. The missile has a range of about 300 km and carries a 150 kg warhead.

An extended-range version of the Neptune was introduced on 24/8. Approximately one meter longer than the original, it appears to carry more fuel to increase its range. Ukraine claims this extended-range Neptune can hit targets up to 1,000 km away.