Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil refinery, sparking fires

Yesterday 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil refinery, sparking fires

Ukrainian drones targeted an oil refinery in Slaviansk-na-Kubani, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, overnight on January 26, igniting fires at the facility and at least one other enterprise, according to Russian and Ukrainian sources. This strike represents the latest in Kyiv's sustained campaign to undermine Moscow's energy infrastructure and disrupt war funding revenues.

The regional operational headquarters confirmed drone debris fell on two company sites, starting blazes at both. One person suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized. Russia's Defense Ministry reported air defenses intercepted and destroyed 40 Ukrainian drones that night, including 34 over Krasnodar region.

Local residents reported five to seven explosions after 1 a.m. local time, with bright flashes lighting the night sky. Krasnodar Airport closed preemptively for safety, per Russian Telegram channels. Social media videos captured a glowing sky toward the refinery, accompanied by audible anti-aircraft fire.

The Slaviansk-na-Kubani refinery, a private facility with a capacity of about 100,000 barrels per day, supplies domestic fuel and exports. Ukrainian military officials have not yet commented officially on the nighttime operation.

This assault fits into Ukraine's escalating pressure on Russian oil and gas facilities, which account for roughly a quarter of Russia's federal budget. Reuters calculations from January 19 show Russian oil and gas tax revenues set to drop 46% in January compared to January 2025, reaching around 420 billion rubles ($5.42 billion), the lowest monthly level since August 2020.

It marks the third hit on the Slaviansk refinery in recent months, following strikes in December 2025 and earlier January. Days earlier, on January 22, Ukrainian forces struck the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in the Volna area of Krasnodar Krai, with Kyiv's General Staff confirming direct hits that caused explosions and fires. Governor Veniamin Kondratiev called it a massive attack, reporting two employee deaths and several injuries.

The International Energy Agency estimates Ukraine's drone campaign has slashed Russian refining capacity by about 500,000 barrels per day, with impacts likely lasting through mid-2026. Kyiv's approach has shifted to persistent disruption, repeatedly targeting the same sites every two to three weeks to hinder repairs and enforce prolonged shutdowns. Russia's full-year 2025 oil and gas revenues fell 24% to 8.48 trillion rubles, per the Finance Ministry, the lowest since 2020.