Ukraine confirms drone strike on major southern Russian oil refinery, key port
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Ukrainian drones struck Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on March 14, hitting the Afipsky Oil Refinery and sparking a large fire, Ukraine's General Staff reported.
The refinery is one of the largest oil processing facilities in southern Russia, producing gasoline, diesel fuel, gas condensate distillates, heavy petroleum residues, and sulfur.
Local residents reported hearing dozens of explosions around 1 a.m. local time as air defense systems were activated and sirens sounded across the region.
The strike damaged parts of the refinery, from falling drone debris, local authorities claimed, adding that no casualties were reported. Kyiv confirmed that "a hit on the target has been recorded."
The plant processes roughly 6.25 million tons of crude annually — about 2% of Russia's refining output — and has been repeatedly targeted in previous drone attacks.
Russia's Defense Ministry said air defenses "intercepted and destroyed" 87 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claim.
Russian authorities also reported a separate drone attack on the Port Kavkaz facility in the Krasnodar Krai region, where three people were injured, and a technical vessel was damaged after drone debris fell on the dock complex.
Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the attack and said damage to the port's infrastructure had occurred.
"Both facilities are involved in supplying the Russian military," the statement said.
The Kavkaz port, located on the Chushka Spit in the Kerch Strait, is one of Russia's largest passenger ports. Its main task is to serve the Kerch ferry crossing in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Local residents additionally reported another drone strike in the city of Tolyatti in Russia's Samara Oblast targeting the KuibyshevAzot chemical plant, though the extent of damage is unclear.
Ukraine routinely launches deep strikes against military and industrial facilities in Russia, primarily relying on domestically developed drones.
Kyiv continues to escalate its campaign against Russian oil and gas infrastructure, a key source of Moscow's revenues helping to fuel its war against Ukraine.
