Major Russian oil refinery reportedly struck in Ukrainian attack

Ukraine's military launched an attack on Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on August 25, reportedly targeting the Afipsky Oil Refinery, according to Russian Telegram media channels. This refinery is among the largest in southern Russia, processing approximately 6.25 million tons of crude annually, constituting about 2% of Russia's refining output. Photos and videos shared on social media purportedly show a significant fire at the refinery. Air raid alerts were in effect in the region during the attack.

Although Ukraine's military has not yet confirmed the attack, it has a history of launching long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries to disrupt fuel supplies to the Russian military and diminish the revenue that fuels Moscow's war against Ukraine. Previous targets include the Novokuibyshevskyi oil refinery in Samara Oblast and an Ozon logistics center in the same region. In recent months, Ukraine has shifted its focus to Russia's e-commerce sector, striking Wildberries and Ozon facilities.

Meanwhile, in response to the attack, active air defense was reported near the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast, though no damage to the facility was immediately reported. The authenticity of these reports remains unverified by The Kyiv Independent.