Ukrainian forces launched another strike on the oil refinery in the Russian city of Tuapse on the night of April 28, marking the third attack on the strategic facility this month alone. This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing the Ukrainian General Staff and data from open sources, News.bg reports.
According to the Ukrainian side, the attack caused a serious fire, and OSINT analysis shows that at least four oil storage tanks were damaged.
Satellite data from the NASA system for April 28 also recorded thermal anomalies in the northern part of the refinery - an area that was not affected by previous strikes.
Local authorities in the Krasnodar Territory officially declared a state of emergency and admitted that in addition to the fire, an oil spill had also occurred.
Russian authorities initially claimed that the cause was debris from a drone, but the Kremlin was forced to admit the severity of the strike this time.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held an emergency meeting with Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov and ordered him to immediately travel to Tuapse to monitor the situation on the ground.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the strike but said details of the damage were classified.
According to Russian opposition media outlet Astra, the refinery had already shut down its only 12 million tons per year facility after previous Ukrainian strikes on April 19 and 20.
The attack on Tuapse is part of a significantly expanded Ukrainian campaign against Russian oil, port and military infrastructure in the Krasnodar Territory, including terminals, oil depots, pumping stations and naval facilities.
According to analysts, Kiev is increasing pressure on Russian energy revenues at a time when Moscow is trying to use the global energy crisis to finance its war.
ISW predicts that with the growing production of Ukrainian drones and the overburdened Russian air defense such strikes deep into the Russian rear will become more frequent and more destructive.