In one of the largest drone attacks since the onset of the Ukraine war, four refineries in southern Russia were targeted overnight. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 70 drones were intercepted and destroyed over Crimea and the Black Sea, and 43 over the Krasnodar region. The affected refineries include Afipsky, Ilsky, Krasnodar, and Astrakhan. Local governor Veniamin Kondratyev stated that administrative buildings at the Afipsky and Ilsky refineries sustained damage, with a fire damaging 50 square meters and injuring two people.
Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the attack, while Ukrainian forces, alongside the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), targeted refineries and a training center for Iranian-made Shahed drones in Yeisk, Krasnodar. These facilities are key to Russia’s fuel supply for Black Sea Fleet ships. The escalating air aggression has seen over 114 drones deployed by Ukraine in the assault, with one casualty reported in Krasnodar.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak assured that refineries are being rapidly repaired and that domestic fuel production remains stable. Gasoline exports, restricted in March, were temporarily lifted from May 20 to June 30.
Drone technology has evolved significantly during the conflict, and both sides have intensively utilized UAVs. Russian defensive measures managed to intercept a significant number of drones, yet the persistent attacks underline the ongoing volatility in the region.