At least two people were killed and a major fire broke out at the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia`s Krasnodar region following a Ukrainian drone attack on Tuesday, according to AFP and Reuters. Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed that two others were injured when falling drone debris struck the nearby Afipskaya railway station and residential neighborhoods. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that its forces struck facilities at the refinery as part of ongoing operations targeting Russian energy infrastructure. Emergency services deployed to the scene to combat the blaze as thick black smoke rose over the industrial facility.
Falling debris damaged at least ten private homes in the surrounding settlement, while transport prosecutors announced the temporary suspension of operations at the railway station. In addition to the Krasnodar strike, Ukrainian military officials reported that overnight operations also hit a gas processing plant in Russia`s Astrakhan region. Kyiv has increasingly relied on long-range drone strikes to disrupt Moscow`s fuel supplies, diminish military logistics, and undermine the revenues financing the ongoing war effort.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that its air defence systems successfully intercepted and destroyed 148 Ukrainian drones overnight across various regions. Moscow also reported striking a cargo vessel carrying military goods for Ukrainian forces near the port of Pivdennyi in Odesa. In response to the escalating aerial threat, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing the state to assume temporary control of critical infrastructure deemed inadequately protected.
Global energy markets have experienced renewed volatility amid the sustained campaign against Russian refineries. During a recent meeting in Kyiv, Western allies pledged continued support, while Ukrainian leadership vowed to expand domestic production of drones and missiles. Kremlin officials sharply criticized allied leaders attending the summit, accusing them of escalating tensions and belonging to a coalition prolonging the conflict.
