UKRAINE has successfully tested a powerful new combat missile which boasts an incredible 621-mile range.
Volodymyr Zelensky revealed the “Long Neptune” weapon today as speculation continues to grow over if it was behind a devastating blast on Friday.
The nautical cruise missile has already been successfully used in combat after a number of positive tests.
Zelensky announced the missile with a post on X saying: “The long Neptune missile was tested and successfully used in combat.
“A new Ukrainian missile, precise strike. The range of one thousand kilometers.
“I thank our Ukrainian developers, manufacturers and military personnel. We continue our work to ensure the security of Ukraine.”
Its 621-range now puts the Russian capital of Moscow within its reach.
Zelensky is yet to reveal where any tests took place as rumours started to emerge over if it had already been used on the battlefield.
Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ claimed a dramatic strike on the Tuapse Oil refinery on Friday may have been caused by the formidable Neptune.
Devastating footage showed the moment the key oil facility was struck 24 hours ago with a giant mushroom cloud erupting seconds after impact.
Ten loud explosions were heard across Russia’s Krasnodar Krai region as towering flames quickly shot up and spread through the sky.
The refinery – a key supplier to the Russian military machine – was left burning for 36 hours after it was first hit.
It also sits just 55 miles from Putin’s £1 billion clifftop palace at Gelendzhik on the Black Sea – with the strike being seen as a direct warning.
The damage has led to speculation over what could have caused such a devastating blow to Vladimir Putin’s war efforts.
Ukraine is yet to announce what was responsible with it still unclear if it was a missile or a specialised drone.
Exilenova+ were among those speculation its origins as they said: “There is an assumption that it was [the new] Neptune.”
The long-range Neptune is made by manufacturer Luch Design Bureau.
The weapon was originally designed as an anti-ship missile but it has been adapted during the war to hit targets on land across long distances.
The new missile, known as Neptune-M, is believed to be a development of an earlier version that sank Putin’s Black Sea Fleet flagship, Moskva, back in 2022.
The weapon will be the latest addition to Ukraine’s impressive arsenal as they continue to fight against Putin’s cannonfodder troops on all fronts.
Ukraine has already tried to halt the conflict by agreeing to a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire this week.
But Putin has refused to agree and instead played for time by clogging the path to peace with “nuances” and impossible questions.
Zelensky went on a verbal tirade against the despot for his refusal to cooperate – even accusing him of lying about wanting a ceasefire.
The Ukrainian leader also warned the world that Russia is plotting a fresh attack.
Russia has spent the week bombarding Ukrainian troops in Kursk with intense invasions across dozens of settlements.
Zelensky said his officers believe mad Vlad is already plotting for his next attack.
He said on X today: “We are observing directions along our eastern border of Ukraine, where the Russian army is building up forces.
“This indicates an intention to attack our Sumy region.
“We are aware of this, and will counter it. I would like all partners to understand exactly what Putin is planning, what he is preparing for, and what he will be ignoring,” said a source.
“The buildup of Russian forces indicates that Moscow intends to keep ignoring diplomacy. It is clear that Russia is prolonging the war.”
Zelensky participated in a virtual call today along with dozens of other leaders, hosted by Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, who called for the “guns to fall silent” in Ukraine.
He held a press conference after a “coalition of the willing” meeting earlier today and said Western leaders are set to move to an “operational phase” to help secure peace in Ukraine.
European military chiefs will meet on Thursday to speak about the Ukraine peacekeeping force, according to Starmer.
The British PM also hit out at Putin for “trying to delay” peace by refusing to come to the negotiating table.
