Drone Attack Sets Russian Oil Refinery Ablaze

The Afipsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai caught fire following a drone attack on Tuesday. Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said falling drone debris also struck the Afipsky railway station, killing two people and injuring two others.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure in an effort to undermine Moscow’s war effort and reduce its revenues.

Following a Ukrainian drone attack on 21 August, the Perm oil refinery, Russia’s seventh-largest by processing volume, also suspended operations. The strike caused a fire and damaged processing units.

The Afipsky refinery is primarily export-focused. In 2024, it processed 7.2 million metric tons of crude oil, equivalent to about 144,000 barrels per day. The plant has been targeted by Ukrainian drones several times in recent months.

(Reuters, bak)