A Ukrainian drone attack ignited a significant fire at an oil depot in the Russian city of Sochi, according to regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev. Early on Sunday, over 120 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze at the facility, which contains a fuel tank with a capacity of 2,000 cubic meters (approximately 70,000 cubic feet). The incident marks a continuation of Ukraine’s efforts to target infrastructure within Russia that is vital to its military operations.
Emergency officials reported the incident in the Krasnodar region, located along the Black Sea, where Sochi is situated. The fire was described as extensive, prompting immediate action from local authorities. The Russian defense ministry noted that its air defense units successfully intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones overnight, including one over the Krasnodar region and an additional 60 over the Black Sea.
In response to the escalating situation, Rosaviatsia, Russia’s civil aviation authority, temporarily suspended flights at Sochi’s airport to ensure safety. Flights resumed at 02:00 GMT on Sunday (10 p.m. ET, Saturday), as confirmed via the authority’s official Telegram channel.
While Ukrainian officials have not commented on this latest attack, it follows a pattern of drone strikes aimed at Russian infrastructure. The attack occurred in the Adler district of Sochi, a location that has seen limited drone activity throughout the ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022. Notably, a previous drone strike in the same district resulted in the death of a woman late last month.
The Krasnodar region, which encompasses the Ilsky refinery—one of the largest in southern Russia—has been a frequent target of Ukraine’s drone operations. The refinery’s strategic importance makes it a likely candidate for future attacks as both nations continue to engage in hostilities.
Additionally, the governor of the Voronezh region reported that four people sustained injuries from another Ukrainian drone strike that caused multiple fires. In a reciprocal action, Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, according to the military administration of the Ukrainian capital. The Russian defense ministry indicated that its forces destroyed 18 Ukrainian drones over the Voronezh region, which shares a border with Ukraine.
As the conflict continues to escalate, both sides are demonstrating their capabilities to strike critical infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the region. The ramifications of these attacks are felt not only in military terms but also in the broader context of regional security and civilian safety.
