The Tuapse oil refinery has been hit by Ukrainian drones for the third time in less than two weeks. The latest strike occurred on April 29, 2026, causing a massive fire and prompting evacuations of nearby residents.
The Tuapse refinery has an annual production capacity of about 12 million tonnes. It produces approximately 240,000 barrels of oil products per day.
Officials halted production on April 16 due to previous drone damage. At least three people have been reported killed due to the multiple strikes on the facility.
Dense black smoke rose from the refinery after the latest attack. An oil spill occurred at sea as a result of one of the earlier strikes, raising significant environmental concerns.
Vladimir Putin commented on the situation, stating, “The latest example is the strike against energy facilities in Tuapse.” He noted that drone attacks against civilian infrastructure are becoming more frequent.
Aleksandr Kurenkov, a government official, described the situation as complicated but controllable. However, uncertainties remain regarding the full extent of damage and the timeline for recovery.
The Ukrainian military targets Russian oil facilities to disrupt funding for the ongoing war. This strategy aims to weaken Russia’s economic capabilities amid escalating conflict.
