Military Watch:

Iskander Strike Takes Out Rare Ukrainian Neptune Cruise Missile Launcher

Eastern Europe and Central Asia , Missile and Space

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

August-30th-2025

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Iskander Launch and Explosion of Neptune Launcher

Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed the successful use of an Iskander-M ballistic missile system to destroy one of Ukraine’s small number of indigenous Neptune cruise missile launchers. This follows a consistent trend towards the use of the Iskander-M to neutralise high value missile systems in Ukrainian service, including multiple MIM-104 Patriot long range surface-to-air missile systems. 

The Ukrainain launcher was located in the disputed Zaporozhye region, and reportedly saw ten accompanying personnel killed when it was destroyed. Although the Neptune system is limited by its subsonic speed and its relatively short 300 kilometre engagement range, Ukrainian government sources have recently claimed that a new variant with a 1000 kilometre engagement range has been developed, which would allow for strikes against less well defended targets deep behind Russian lines. 

Efforts have reportedly also been made to significantly increase production, as the number of launchers available has remained low.

Launch of Ukrainian Neptune Cruise Missile

The Russian Armed Forces appear to have prioritised targeting not only Ukrainain missile systems, but also defence industrial facilities contributing to its missile programs, with the targeting of four such facilities in mid-August representing a major setback to the Ukrainian Sapsan ballistic missile program. 

The FSB claimed that the damage to Ukraine’s military industrial complex from the attack was “colossal,” and that Ukraine had planned to use Sapsan long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory. Ukraine’s defence sector has received considerable funding and support from across the Western world, and alongside the production of drones which have been used to strike targets thousands of kilometres inside Russia, cruise missile production has also been specifically singled out to receive financial backing. 

Ukraine’s defence sector in mid-August unveiled the Flamingo cruise missile, which reportedly has a range exceeding 3000 kilometres, allowing it to strike targets across European Russia and into Siberia. Striking both cruise missile launchers and major industrial facilities is expected to remain a key priority for the Russian Armed Forces to protect the country’s interior from attacks.