Ukraine’s Neptune Missiles Strike Novorossiysk Port, Damaging Key Russian Infrastructure

 

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy awards a Ukrainian serviceman while he visits a command position of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade 'Velykyi Luh' at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine November 13, 2025.

Ukrainian forces carried out a significant overnight strike on Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, using domestically produced Neptune cruise missiles. The attack, which took place on the night of November 13–14, 2025, targeted strategic military and energy facilities in the port city of Krasnodar Krai.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the strike damaged valuable port infrastructure, including the Sheskharis oil terminal, a launcher from Russia’s S-400 air defense system, and a missile storage site. The latter reportedly detonated, causing fires across the port area. Video footage and reports confirmed that drones accompanied the missile barrage, amplifying the destruction.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the operation as a “justified response” to Russia’s ongoing terror campaign, noting that Ukraine’s long-range Neptune systems are delivering increasingly precise results. The Neptune-MD, a modified version of the R-360 anti-ship missile, has a range of up to 1,000 km (621 miles), enabling Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory.

The Novorossiysk port is one of Russia’s most important Black Sea facilities, serving as a hub for oil exports and naval operations. The strike triggered a state of emergency, with fires reported at oil and container terminals. Analysts suggest the attack is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to undermine Russia’s energy export capacity and naval dominance in the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, Russia responded with a massive aerial assault on Kyiv, launching 430 drones and 18 missiles, which killed at least six people and injured dozens. The exchange highlights the escalating intensity of the conflict, as both sides target critical infrastructure to weaken each other’s war effort.

Ukraine’s successful use of Neptune missiles against Novorossiysk marks a new phase in the war, demonstrating Kyiv’s ability to strike strategic assets far beyond the front lines. The full extent of the damage to Russia’s port facilities is still being assessed, but the attack underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capabilities.