Tuapse Residents Told to Flee After Ukraine Hits Rosneft Refinery for Third Time in April

Ukraine struck the Rosneft oil refinery in Tuapse again on Tuesday the third such attack this month. A massive fire broke out, over 160 emergency workers rushed to the scene, and local authorities ordered evacuations near the facility. The attacks have halted refinery operations since mid-April, rattled global oil markets, and left residents breathing toxic air.

Fire Erupts at Tuapse Refinery After Fresh Drone Strike

Residents living near a Rosneft oil refinery in Tuapse a southern port town on Russia’s Black Sea coast got evacuation orders on Tuesday. Ukraine had struck the facility again with drones, sparking a large and dangerous blaze. It was the third time this month alone that the same refinery came under attack.

Krasnodar region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev broke the news on Telegram. “Another serious incident has occurred in Tuapse. A large-scale fire broke out at an oil refinery due to an enemy drone attack,” he wrote. More than 160 emergency responders rushed to fight the blaze. Residents displaced by the evacuations were directed to a nearby school for temporary shelter.

Three Dead in Separate Strikes on Belgorod Region

The same day brought more bloodshed elsewhere. Ukrainian attacks on the southwestern Belgorod region killed at least three people local officials confirmed the toll. Russia’s Defense Ministry also reported intercepting 186 Ukrainian drones overnight, from Monday night into Tuesday morning. The ministry said drones were shot down across several Russian regions including Krasnodar as well as over annexed Crimea and above the Black Sea.

Refinery Operations Halted Since Mid-April

Tuesday’s strike marks the third hit on the Tuapse refinery since early April. Industry insiders say operations at the plant have been completely shut down since an April 16 attack. That’s no small disruption the facility processes roughly 12 million metric tons of crude oil every year. It also serves as a critical export point for naphtha, fuel oil, and diesel.

A strike the previous week caused an oil spill and a fire that took days to bring under control. Local residents have been vocal about their fears black smoke from that earlier blaze turned into toxic rain over the city. People reported health concerns and worsening environmental conditions. The damage went beyond the industrial site itself it reached people’s everyday lives.

Ukraine Escalates Strikes on Russian Energy Infrastructure

Ukraine has been ramping up attacks on Russian oil and energy infrastructure over the past two months. The goal is clear cut off the Kremlin’s energy revenues at a time when the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, already squeezing global supply chains.

The timing of the latest Tuapse strike couldn’t be more sensitive. Oil prices are creeping back toward last month’s highs peace talks between the United States and Iran have made little headway, adding fuel to market anxiety. Brent crude June contracts traded above $111 per barrel on Tuesday morning, a number that has global energy traders watching closely.