Ukrainian drone strike ignites massive fire at Tuapse refinery, triggering evacuations
The facility in the Black Sea region has been targeted for the third time this month, prompting warnings of hazardous smoke and oily residue for local residents.
Ukrainian drones have struck a major Russian oil refinery in Tuapse for the third time within a single month, resulting in a massive fire that has forced the temporary evacuation of nearby residents. Local officials confirmed that more than 160 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze under extremely difficult conditions, with no casualties reported among the emergency crews or civilians.
The intensity of the incident has prompted authorities to issue urgent health warnings regarding combustion products being released into the atmosphere. Residents in the vicinity were advised to wear masks, keep windows closed, and limit their time outdoors due to the hazardous smoke and oily residue. A temporary evacuation centre has been established in a local school to accommodate displaced families.
This latest attack follows two previous strikes in the past two weeks at the same facility, which resulted in significant oil spills into the Black Sea. Local reports indicated that these earlier incidents caused black rain to fall on the city, leaving an oily residue that continues to pose environmental concerns for the population.
The Kremlin has responded by accusing Ukraine of further increasing oil shortages in global energy markets and provoking additional destabilisation. In contrast, Ukraine's military confirmed the strike as part of concerted efforts to reduce the military-economic potential of Russia's full-scale invasion, which began in 2022.
In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin has ordered the country's emergency minister to fly to Tuapse urgently to oversee firefighting and cleanup efforts. The Russian leadership maintains that the targeted oil storage facilities are intended for export operations, a stance Kyiv rejects as they view such infrastructure as legitimate targets supporting the war effort.
Separately, Ukrainian officials reported a Russian drone attack on Kyiv that injured one person, alongside several fires in the capital, including one at a cemetery. While the duration of the current evacuation remains unconfirmed, local governors Veniamin Kondratyev and Sergei Boyko continue to coordinate the response to ensure the safety of city residents and visitors.
