Third Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Tuapse Refinery, Sparks Fire

Ukrainian drone strikes targeted a major oil refinery in the Russian Black Sea port of Tuapse overnight into Tuesday, April 28, igniting a large fire and prompting the evacuation of nearby residents, local authorities reported. The attack marked the third on the Rosneft-owned facility in less than two weeks.

Krasnodar region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev stated on Telegram that a large-scale fire broke out at the refinery due to the drone attack, with more than 160 emergency responders deployed to contain the blaze. Tuapse district head Sergei Boyko ordered evacuations in surrounding streets over concerns the fire could spread, providing temporary shelter at a local school. Russian officials reported no casualties from the latest strike, attributing the fire to falling drone debris. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 186 Ukrainian drones across southern regions, including Krasnodar and annexed Crimea, as well as over the Black Sea.

The Tuapse refinery, with an annual capacity of about 12 million metric tons of crude or 240,000 barrels per day, produces naphtha, diesel, fuel oil and vacuum gasoil primarily for export via a nearby port terminal. Operations...