Ukrainian drones strike Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, military confirms
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Ukrainian drones successfully struck and damaged the Afipskiy oil refinery in southwestern Russia, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Aug. 7 amid reported drone attacks across the country.
"As a result of the drone strike, a fire broke out at a technical unit for processing gas and gas condensate," the military said on Telegram.
The confirmation follows reporting by Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels that drones struck the refinery in Krasnodar Krai and other targets in a mass overnight attack.
The refinery, located roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the front line, serves as a strategic logistics hub for diesel fuel and aviation kerosene used by Russian troops.
The refinery is also key to Russia's economic might, processing 6.25 million tons of oil annually, or 2.1% of Russia's entire oil refining output, the General Staff said.
The refinery has been targeted multiple times since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Local residents reported hearing explosions throughout the night amid the threat of drone attacks on the region. Videos shared on social media purportedly show a large fire burning in the area of the refinery.
"The operation was carried out by Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) and Unmanned Systems Forces," the General Staff said.
"Ukrainian forces attacked a number of other important facilities. The consequences of the operations are being determined."
Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev claimed that in the nearby community of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, a man was injured as a result of falling drone debris. Kondratyev did not mention an attack on the refinery.
A military facility in Slavyansk-on-Kuban was on fire following the drone attack, independent news outlet Astra reported, citing local residents.
The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the claims.
The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
Russian coastal defenses were also fighting off a naval drone attack at Novorossiysk, a coastal city 60 kilometers (35 miles) south of Slavyansk-on-Kuban, Mayor Andrei Kravchenko said.
"Sirens rang out along the Novorossiysk coastline... An attack by naval drones is being repelled," Kravchenko said on his Telegram channel. The mayor later announced that the alert was lifted, providing no information on possible damage or casualties.
Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ shared a video purportedly capturing sounds of explosions and a siren during the attack on Novorossiysk.
The port city became the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet last year after a Ukrainian missile and drone campaign forced Moscow to withdraw most of its naval assets from occupied Crimea.
Ukraine routinely launches deep strikes against military and industrial facilities in Russia, primarily relying on domestically developed drones. Kyiv has particularly taken aim at Russia's fossil fuel infrastructure as part of its strategy to undermine funding for the Kremlin's war chest.
Krasnodar Krai, situated just east of occupied Crimea and separated by the Kerch Strait, has become an increasingly frequent target of Ukrainian drone strikes. The region's military infrastructure is critical for Russia's air operations in the south and over the Black Sea.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that a total of 82 drones were shot down over various Russian regions overnight. Ukrainian drones allegedly also targeted railway infrastructure in Volgograd Oblast, according to local authorities.
Ukraine's military rarely comments on drone strikes on Russian territory and has not done so in this instance.
