Tuapse 4.0: Ukrainian strikes on Russian refinery cut output
Photo: Oil refinery in Tuapse, Russia, attacked for the fourth time (Russian media)
Following the fourth attack on the oil refinery in Tuapse, in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, on the night of May 1, its production capacity has decreased, according to Olha Melioshyna, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces (USF).
This morning, Robert Brovdi, call-sign Magyar, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, reported a new strike on the Tuapse Oil Refinery.
Unmanned Systems Forces spokesperson's comment
As spokesperson Olha Melioshyna says, Unmanned Systems Forces units operate in coordination with other components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
She notes that details of the operation are not being disclosed at this time, and official confirmation is expected from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"The oil refinery had a capacity of 12 million tons of oil per year. But the fourth strike, I think, has slightly reduced that capacity, and we will do everything to ensure that Russia's capacity continues to decline," Melioshyna says.
She emphasizes that strikes on Russia’s oil refining infrastructure are legitimate targets, as they provide funding for the Russian army.
"Unmanned aerial systems are targeting exclusively facilities linked to the enemy’s military... refining and oil processing are sources of funding for the enemy’s army," notes the USF spokesperson.
According to her, such strikes have not only an economic but also a psychological effect, as they undermine the perception of security in Russia’s deep rear.
"If previously, 1,500 or 2,000 kilometers from the state border was considered a safe rear for Russia, today the situation is changing," the spokesperson says.
Melioshyna also reports that the final figures for April are still being finalized, but according to analysts’ estimates, Russian oil refining capacity may have decreased by 20–30%.
She separately notes that the effectiveness of such operations is linked to the disruption of the Russian air defense system.
"Over the winter and early spring, our units managed to destroy over 100 air defense systems," the spokesperson adds.
Tuapse today
Photos are circulating online showing thick black smoke over Tuapse following another attack on the local oil refinery.
According to local social media posts, a major fire has broken out in the city, and there are also reports of power outages.
Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of the Krasnodar Krai, has not commented on the new fire in Tuapse. Instead, he congratulated the region’s residents on the start of the May holidays.
Tuapse 4.0: Ukrainian strikes on Russian refinery cut output pic.twitter.com/EoPVfZP8g4
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) May 1, 2026
Strikes on Tuapse oil refinery
On May 1, the Russian city of Tuapse was again attacked by drones. This is the fourth strike on the city in a short period of time.
Previously, Tuapse had already been targeted three times in a short period.
The first attack took place on April 16, when key processing units at the oil refinery were hit, triggering a massive fire that lasted several days.
The second attack occurred on April 20. As a result of the first two strikes, 24 storage tanks were destroyed, and four more were damaged.
The third strike was recorded on the night of April 28. At that time, new storage tanks that had previously remained intact caught fire.
Local authorities have ordered an immediate evacuation of residents living on streets adjacent to the burning terminals. The city is shrouded in toxic smog, and oil rain has been reported.
