Neptune Missiles Destroy Two Key Oil Processing Units at Novoshakhtinsk Oil Refinery

A Ukrainian strike using Neptune missiles destroyed two primary crude oil processing units at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region.

Analysts from the Exilenova+ group published a satellite image showing the damage after the attack.

Without these units, the refinery can barely operate, since they are the first and essential stage of the entire oil processing cycle.

Impact on the oil refinery:

• crude oil intake and processing may be severely reduced or completely halted;
• fuel output will drop significantly;
• repairs will be lengthy and expensive, as these units are large and highly complex.

The strike took place on May 31. The Ukrainian Navy later confirmed that Neptune missiles were used in the operation.

This refinery is a key facility in Russia’s regional fuel infrastructure and plays an important role in supplying fuel and lubricants to occupying forces.

The plant was commissioned in 2009 and became one of the first major oil refineries built in Russia after a long pause.

It is connected to the main oil pipelines of the Transneft system and to rail lines, enabling the delivery of crude oil and the shipment of refined products by rail and via the Don River terminal.

Long-range Neptune

The range of the modernized Neptune missile is about 1,000 km, compared to roughly 280 km in its earlier version.

The upgraded missile carries a warhead of up to 260 kg – about 110 kg heavier than the anti-ship variant.

Its navigation system allows it to fly over complex terrain and follow its route without relying on satellite navigation, as well as strike ground targets, though technical details are not disclosed.

In April, a strike using Neptune missiles on the Atlant Aero plant in Taganrog destroyed two production workshops.