Ukrainian drones strike oil refineries in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, Samara Oblast, commander says
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect comment by Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, as well as to include reporting on the drone attack on the Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara Oblast.
Ukrainian drones struck oil refineries in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and Samara Oblast overnight on Aug. 30, the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, confirmed.
Earlier in the night, Russian Telegram channels reported explosions were heard by local residents starting 2:30 a.m. local time in Krasnodar Krai, amid reports of drones flying overhead. Videos posted to social media appear to show a large blazes emanating from a both oil refineries.
The full extent of the damage was not immediately clear.
Brovdi said that the 14th regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces, in coordination with the Special Operations Forces, struck Krasnodar Oil Refinery and Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara Oblast.
Both refineries have previously been the target of multiple attacks by Kyiv, with the Syzran Oil Refinery previously being struck on Aug. 15.
Kyiv has repeatedly targeted Russian infrastructure in the region since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, particularly taking aim at Russia's fossil fuel infrastructure as part of its strategy to undermine funding for the Kremlin's war chest.
According to Brovdi, both refineries combine for a total volume of 4.1% of Russian oil production. Both refineries produces a wide range of fuels, including aviation fuel, and helps supply the Russian Armed Forces.
Reuters reported that Ukraine struck 10 refineries throughout August, shutting down facilities representing 17% of national processing capacity, or 1.1 million barrels per day.
Both Krasnodar Krai, situated just east of occupied Crimea and separated by the Kerch Strait, and Samara Oblast, located approximately 700km from Ukraine's front line, have become an increasingly frequent target of Ukrainian drone strikes.
