Drones again attack oil refinery in Russia's Tuapse, sparking huge fire; residents evacuated – photos
Drones attacked an oil refinery in the Russian town of Tuapse in Krasnodar Krai on the night of 27-28 April. More than 160 firefighters are battling a massive blaze, and the authorities have announced the evacuation of residents.
Source: Shot, Astra and other Telegram channels; Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters
Quote from Shot: "Tonight, Ukrainian forces are once again attacking Tuapse. Explosions are being heard over the town and air defence systems are responding. Eyewitnesses reported a fire in one district."
Details: Local residents reported more than a dozen loud explosions over the course of two hours. Groups of drones were approaching from the sea at low altitude.
A fire broke out at the scene where drone debris fell in one district, with flames and smoke visible. According to posts on Telegram channels, a maritime terminal and the oil refinery were targeted in the attack.
Prior to this, an air-raid warning had been issued in the region and restrictions on aircraft arrivals and departures were introduced at airports in Krasnodar, Gelendzhik and Sochi.
Update: Astra reported that, based on its analysis of videos taken by eyewitnesses, the Tuapse oil refinery has indeed been on fire following the attack.
Early assessments indicate that the tank farm near the ELOU-AVT-12 unit was hit.
Update: Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters confirmed in the morning that a drone attack on the oil refinery in Tuapse had taken place.
Officials claimed the fire at the refinery had been caused by "falling drone debris".
Update: After 09:00, Veniamin Kondratyev, Governor of Krasnodar Krai, said that "a major fire at the oil refinery" is being tackled by "164 personnel, with 46 fire appliances involved".
"For the safety of residents living near the refinery, an evacuation is under way. A temporary accommodation centre has been set up at local School No. 6. I urge residents to follow all recommendations," he said.
Background:
- Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the results of Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries in Russia's Tuapse and Yaroslavl.
- Damage to a vacuum distillation unit at an oil refinery in Yaroslavl was confirmed following a strike on 26 April.
- The destruction of 24 storage tanks and damage to four others was confirmed following a strike near the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai on 20 April.
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