In the early hours of April 16, Ukrainian military forces struck the Tuapse Oil Refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, as confirmed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Tuapse refinery has a processing capacity of 12 million tons of oil annually and plays a significant role in supplying the Russian military. Reports indicate that the facility was hit, resulting in a fire, with damage assessments currently underway.
A source from Ukraine’s Security Service, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information, informed Radio Free Europe that drones from the Special Operations Center “Alpha” collaborated with other security and defense units to target several infrastructure sites at the Tuapse port oil terminal.
The oil terminal operates in conjunction with the Tuapse refinery, producing gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, and petrochemical feedstock, thus serving both domestic and export markets. The complex is owned by Rosneft.
According to the source, the attack caused damage to deep-water oil loading stands, pipeline infrastructure, and storage tanks at both the marine terminal and the refinery.
Following the strikes, a significant fire was reported. Additionally, a multifunctional radar station, designated 50N6E, was also affected.
On the same day, the General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces targeted a tactical group of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s 15th Separate Coastal Missile Brigade in Sevastopol, Crimea, as well as enemy air defense systems in Crimea and the occupied regions of Zaporizhia and Donetsk.
Furthermore, Ukrainian forces struck drone control points in the areas of Verbove in Zaporizhia and Holaya Prystan in Kherson, along with enemy personnel in the settlements of Rodynske and Zatyshne in Donetsk, and a command point near Rivnopil in Donetsk.
Typically, Russian authorities do not confirm or comment on military losses.
Local monitoring channels and residents reported the fire at the oil refinery in Tuapse following the drone strike. The Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+ noted that three storage tanks ignited.
The Governor of Krasnodar reported that “numerous fragments fell” onto the premises of enterprises in the port area.
This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted Tuapse’s oil infrastructure, with previous attacks occurring in March, November, and December 2025.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, various sites within Russia have been subjected to aerial strikes, with oil refineries frequently targeted in 2024 and 2025. Russian facilities within Ukraine have also faced similar assaults.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has confirmed most of these attacks, stating that Ukrainian defense forces are systematically implementing measures aimed at reducing the combat potential of Russian occupation forces and compelling Russia to cease its armed aggression against Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces have targeted the Tuapse Oil Refinery in Russia, causing significant damage and a fire. This strike is part of ongoing efforts to undermine Russian military capabilities amid the conflict.