A fire broke out at Russia’s Afipsky oil refinery following a drone attack overnight, reports suggest. Images shared on social media show thick black smoke rising from the facility in Krasnodar Krai.
Ukrainian forces have frequently targeted the refinery since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The site processes around 6.25 million tonnes of oil annually and is crucial for supplying fuel to Russia’s military, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate.
Kyiv resumed strikes on Russian refineries last week after a brief pause, despite pressure from Washington to halt such actions. US President Donald Trump has attributed rising global diesel prices to these strikes, attempting to divert attention from the ongoing conflict with Iran.
This year, Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia’s energy sector, focusing on oil refineries, terminals, and depots to undermine Moscow’s economy and increase pressure on Vladimir Putin’s military efforts.
In related news, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russian forces launched 227 drones at Ukraine from Thursday evening into Friday morning. Preliminary reports indicate that Ukrainian air defences intercepted or neutralised 196 enemy UAVs, although some remain in the air.
Tragically, one man was killed in a morning attack in the Rivne Oblast. Additionally, three individuals were injured in strikes on the Boryspil district in Kyiv Oblast, resulting in a fire that destroyed a private house and outbuilding, with energy infrastructure also reported damaged in Bila Tserkva and Obukhiv districts.
