Most media reported the news as if Russia’s oil refinery was taken out of commission. It was not,
One of Russia’s largest oil refineries, the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, suffered damage from a drone attack late last night. The governor of the region, Veniamin Kondratyev, reported the incident on social media, detailing that administrative buildings within the complex were the primary structures affected. The Ilsky refinery, a major facility, processes approximately 6.6 million tons of crude oil annually (or about 132,000 barrels per day).
🇺🇦🇷🇺🛢 As a result of Ukrainian drone attacks last night, there are fires on the premises of the Russian oil refineries and depots #Afipsky (#Krasnodar region), #Platonovka (#Tambov region) and in #Enem (#Adygeya region).#Ukraine #Russia pic.twitter.com/PFV9lRquy3
— Barong (@Barong369) June 20, 2024
Kondratyev described the event as a “massive attack” by what he termed the “criminal Kyiv regime,” indicating that other locations in the region were also targeted. He reported damage to a boiler house building adjacent to the Yuzhny bus station in Krasnodar and additional administrative buildings in the Seversky district. The governor confirmed that some refinery workers were injured during the attacks and stated that they were receiving all necessary medical treatment.
Shortly after the attack, a fire broke out at the refinery due to falling drone debris. However, it was quickly extinguished, minimizing further damage to the facility.
While Ukraine has not officially responded to the accusations, it has been noted that there has been a pattern of similar strikes on Russian oil facilities this year. Ukrainian security agencies have previously claimed responsibility for similar operations as part of their strategic military objectives.
Ukrainian Drone Swarms Target Four Russian Oil Refineries in Major Attack
Ukraine just launched the largest drone attack on Russia since the war began.https://t.co/6Q1jaJy7tl
— Vigilant News (@VigilantNews) June 21, 2024
This drone attack is part of a broader series of strikes that occurred recently. Just a day before, Russian authorities reported drone strikes on two other oil refineries located in the Tambov region and the Adygea Republic. Overall, it has been reported that around 40 Russian oil depots and refineries have been targeted since the start of the year.
The strategic targeting of oil facilities is part of a broader military strategy, as articulated by a Ukrainian deputy prime minister, who in March declared these sites legitimate targets due to their role in supporting Russia’s war economy. However, there are international concerns about these tactics, with U.S. officials reportedly urging caution to avoid disruptions to the global fuel market. Recent estimates suggest that these attacks have impacted at least 14 percent of Russia’s oil refining capacity.
In response to these ongoing aerial threats, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that it intercepted over 100 drones aimed at various strategic locations, including annexed Crimea and Krasnodar Krai. They stated that air defense systems managed to neutralize a significant number of these threats and also reported the destruction of several unmanned naval vessels in the Black Sea, attributed to the Ukrainian Navy. These measures reflect the heightened security measures and ongoing military tensions in the region.
Major Points
- A drone attack damaged the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, impacting administrative buildings.
- Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported the incident, describing it as part of a larger assault by Ukraine.
- The attack caused injuries among refinery workers, who are receiving necessary medical care.
- Following the attack, a fire broke out but was quickly contained with minimal further damage.
- This incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on Russian oil facilities, which have been targeted around 40 times this year.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
