A Ukrainian drone attack caused a significant fire at an oil depot in the Russian city of Sochi, prompting a rapid response from local emergency services. Over 120 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze at the fuel storage facility, which has a capacity of 2,000 cubic meters (approximately 70,000 cubic feet). Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed the incident early on Sunday via the Telegram messaging app.
Located in the Krasnodar region along the Black Sea, Sochi has seen relatively few attacks during the ongoing conflict that escalated in February 2022. According to Russia’s RIA news agency, the fire erupted in the Adler district, an area known for its proximity to tourist attractions. The incident is part of a broader trend of Ukrainian strikes targeting critical infrastructure deemed vital to Russia’s military operations.
In a daily report, the Russian defense ministry stated that its air defense systems had destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones overnight. This included one drone over the Krasnodar region and 60 over the Black Sea. Notably, the ministry does not disclose the number of drones launched by Ukraine, which complicates assessments of the overall impact of these air operations.
In response to the attack, Rosaviatsia, Russia’s civil aviation authority, temporarily suspended flights at Sochi International Airport to ensure safety. Flights resumed shortly after 02:00 GMT on Sunday, as confirmed on their Telegram channel.
While there was no immediate response from Ukraine regarding the latest attack, it follows a pattern of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian infrastructure. Just last month, a similar attack in the Adler district resulted in the death of a woman.
The Krasnodar region also houses the Ilsky refinery, one of the largest in southern Russia, which has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian drone operations. Other reports indicated that a separate Ukrainian drone strike in the Voronezh region resulted in injuries to four people and ignited multiple fires. Concurrently, Russian forces launched missile strikes on Kyiv, highlighting the ongoing escalations on both sides.
As the conflict continues, the implications of these attacks resonate beyond immediate military objectives, affecting both regional security and civilian safety. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days as both nations respond to the evolving circumstances.
