Drone strike sets Russia's biggest Caucasus oil depot ablaze
Photo: Oil tanks are on fire at three sites in Russia following drone strikes (Getty Images)
The Ukrainian military has confirmed extensive damage at three major oil facilities in Russia. This is the result of strikes carried out on June 8, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
At the Grushovaya oil transshipment depot, located in the Grushovaya Balka area of the Krasnodar region, a fire has been confirmed in two oil tanks. The infrastructure used for assessing the quality of petroleum products has also been damaged there.
The Krasnoarmeysk oil pumping station in the Saratov region also sustained significant damage. According to the results of further reconnaissance, two large oil tanks, each with a capacity of 50,000 m³, were confirmed to be on fire there.
The third target was the Krasny Yar production and dispatch station, located in the Volgograd region. The military reported that one oil tank with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters was on fire there.
"The Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to inflict losses on Russia's critically important fuel, energy, and logistics infrastructure, which supports the war against Ukraine," reads a statement from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Grushovaya is part of the Sheskharis transshipment complex, the terminal hub of the main oil pipelines in southern Russia. This complex handles the receipt, storage, and transshipment of oil for subsequent transport via the port of Novorossiysk.
Drone attacks on Russia
The Unmanned Systems Forces and other Ukrainian units are systematically striking Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure. In particular, two large oil depots in Crimea were recently hit, as well as an FSB command post and other military facilities.
In addition, reports emerged today of yet another drone attack on the Novokuybyshevsk Oil Refinery in the Samara region, where a massive fire broke out after the strike.
Tuapse, which houses oil refining and storage facilities, is also under regular attack. Recently, evacuations were reported there due to heavy smoke caused by the fires.
