Ukrainian Navy Strikes Iskander Missile Fuel Production Plant with Neptune Missiles

The Ukrainian Navy struck the Russian defense plant Kamensky Combine plant with Neptune cruise missiles. The facility produces solid rocket propellant, in particular for 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

The strike was reported by the Ukrainian Navy’s press service.

The Kamensky Combine plant was struck on the night of August 16. Based on satellite imagery, at least five production buildings at the facility were damaged.

At least three of the affected buildings sustained significant damage. Judging by the massive earth berms surrounding them, which is a standard safety requirement for such facilities, explosive materials were being handled there.

Analysts from the CyberBoroshno community managed to identify some of the affected buildings. In particular, Workshop 504/2 was hit, where solid-propellant engine charges are formed using injection molding.

The strike also damaged warehouses storing raw materials for the production of solid fuel and basic explosive components, as well as the polymerization workshop – a key area where solid propellant grains undergo heat treatment and final curing.

According to analysts, the damage to these key facilities means a complete disruption of the production chain. The destruction of Building 504/2 halts the engine assembly line. Since the specialized equipment for injection molding and polymerization is highly precise and manufactured as one-off units, its restoration under sanctions could take anywhere from several months to several years.

The strike also hit the air defense systems protecting the plant. These included positions of a Pantsir-S1 SPAAGM system and multifunctional target illumination and guidance radars for S-300 and S-400 systems, where signs of fire were observed.

Kamensky Combine Plant

FSE Kamensky Combine plant is part of the Russian state-owned corporation Rostec. According to the VARTA OSINT resource, it is one of the largest chemical enterprises in southern Russia and has the status of an anchor enterprise.

The plant specializes in the production of solid rocket propellant for the Uragan, Smerch, and Tornado-S MLRSs’ rockets, ballistic and intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as anti-aircraft guided missiles for the S-300 and S-400 systems.

As part of the production cooperation for Kh-59M2/Kh-59M2A guided air-launched missiles, the plant manufactures and supplies 9G-2145 and 9D-2145 units – a gas generator and an engine, respectively – and, together with JSC MBDB Iskra, assembles 9TK1D-00 engines for these missiles.

As part of a cooperative effort to produce the 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, the company manufactures and supplies solid-propellant charges for the 9Kh820 rocket engines. Under the collaboration on the production of the 9M727 cruise missile used by the Iskander-K operational-tactical missile system, the company manufactures and supplies propellant charges and igniters for the 9Kh837 booster engines.

The plant also manufactures artillery shells, propellants, explosives, detonators, fuzes, primers, precursors, and other ammunition components.