In the early hours of July 22, 2024, an oil refinery located in Tuapse, a town on the Black Sea coast of Russia, was targeted in a drone attack, sparking a fire that required emergency response efforts, local authorities confirmed.
More than 75 drones were involved in coordinated strikes across several Russian regions overnight. The strike on the Tuapse refinery, attributed to Ukraine’s military intelligence service (HUR), was later acknowledged by a source within the agency speaking to the Kyiv Independent.
Simultaneously, Russian Telegram channels claimed that another fire erupted near the Morozovsk airbase in Rostov Oblast, though these reports have yet to be independently verified.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting drones in various locations: eight over Krasnodar Krai, 47 over Rostov Oblast, and single drones over Belgorod, Voronezh, and Smolensk oblasts, as well as over the Black and Azov seas.
Local officials in Tuapse stated that the initial wave of attacks saw eight drones shot down between 3:17 to 4:20 a.m. local time, preventing any casualties or significant damage. However, during a subsequent wave of attacks, debris from intercepted drones fell on the refinery grounds, igniting a fire that was swiftly brought under control.
Footage shared on Russian Telegram channels depicted what appeared to be drones targeting the Tuapse refinery, accompanied by plumes of smoke rising from the site. The extent of the damage is currently being assessed.
Rosneft’s Tuapse refinery, a frequent target of Ukrainian strikes in recent months, had previously undergone emergency shutdowns following similar incidents. The refinery, a major producer with significant export output, plays a crucial role in Russia’s oil industry.
These attacks mark a continuation of Ukraine’s escalated efforts against Russian oil infrastructure, aimed at disrupting processing capacities across multiple facilities. The Morozovsk airbase in Rostov Oblast was targeted, resulting in a fire near the facility, although specific details on the impact remain scarce.
Authorities in Rostov Oblast swiftly responded to the incident, containing fires caused by debris from intercepted drones without further consequences reported. The Morozovsk airbase, previously targeted in Ukrainian attacks, continues to be a focal point amid ongoing regional tensions.
The situation is developing, with both Russian and Ukrainian sources monitoring and responding to the evolving security challenges in the region.
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