Authorities in Russia’s Krasnodar region reported on Sunday that a Ukrainian drone attack overnight caused a fire on an oil tanker and damaged facilities at a major oil terminal in Tuapse, a port on the Black Sea.
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The attack targeted Russia’s southern gateway for crude oil and refined products, following announcements that shipments from the port were expected to increase in November, meaning any disruption could negatively impact export flows.
According to local authorities on Telegram, “drone debris struck an oil tanker at Tuapse port, causing damage to the upper deck structure.” They added that a fire broke out on the tanker and the crew was evacuated.
The port includes the Tuapse oil terminal and Tuapse refinery operated by Rosneft, both of which have been targeted by Ukrainian drones multiple times this year.
Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels shared images showing the tanker and port facilities ablaze, as well as multiple fires around the port area. Reuters could not independently verify the reports.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that air defense units destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Krasnodar region, out of 164 drones intercepted over Russian territory, Crimea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov.
No comment has been issued by Ukraine, and the full scale of the attack remains unclear.
In recent months, Kyiv has intensified attacks on Russian refineries, storage facilities, and pipelines to deplete fuel supplies, disrupt military logistics, and raise war costs, framing the campaign as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid.
The Krasnodar administration also reported damage to port buildings and other infrastructure. Drone debris caused damage to a residential building in Sosnovy village, near Tuapse, while minor damage occurred at the local railway station.
No injuries were reported.
(Reuters)
