Ukrainian drones targeted one of Russia’s major Black Sea oil ports on Sunday, igniting fires and damaging several vessels.
Russian officials reported that two foreign-flagged ships were affected during the strike at Tuapse, a key hub for oil exports. Satellite images and video analyzed by UK-based maritime security firm Ambrey showed at least two tankers engulfed in flames.
Russian authorities confirmed that all fires have since been brought under control, with no casualties reported among the crews. However, significant damage was inflicted on terminal infrastructure and surrounding port buildings. The port’s operational status remains uncertain.
Kyiv’s General Staff stated that the drone operations targeted the refinery infrastructure at Tuapse. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s domestic security agency, the SBU, added that five separate drone strikes were recorded, impacting an oil tanker, loading facilities, and nearby port structures.
Tuapse, home to the Black Sea oil terminal and a refinery operated by Russia’s largest oil company, Rosneft, has faced repeated attacks by Ukrainian forces this year. Ukraine maintains that its strikes on Russian energy sites are retaliatory measures in response to Moscow’s assaults on Ukrainian power and heating systems, which Russia regards as legitimate military targets.
