Ukrainian drones hit oil refineries in Russia, 1,500km from front line
Ukrainian drones have targeted and damaged oil refineries in Russia's Perm, Orenburg, and Tuapse regions, with strikes occurring over 1,500km from the front line and causing major fires and environmental concerns. The attacks aim to disrupt Russian energy infrastructure and reduce funding for its military operations. Local authorities declared a state of emergency in Tuapse, where repeated strikes have led to toxic air pollution and widespread contamination.
- ▪Ukrainian drones struck the Lukoil-owned refinery in Perm, one of Russia's largest, disabling a primary oil processing unit.
- ▪A refinery in Orsk, Orenburg region, was hit, with Ukrainian officials stating it supplies the Russian occupation forces.
- ▪The Tuapse refinery on the Black Sea has been attacked multiple times, triggering a local state of emergency and severe environmental contamination.
- ▪Residents in Tuapse reported burning rivers, toxic fumes, and elevated benzene levels in the air following the attacks.
- ▪The SBU and Ukraine's military general staff confirmed responsibility for the strikes as part of efforts to target Russia's energy infrastructure.
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Putin condemns Ukrainian drone strikes against oil refineries deep inside Russian territoryTopic:War35m ago35 minutes agoFri 1 May 2026 at 1:03amUkrainian drone strikes hit oil infrastructure across Russia this week, sparking huge fires. (Reuters/Governor of Krasnodar Region Veniamin Kondratyev)In short: Ukrainian drone strikes have hit three Russian oil refineries over the past week, sparking huge fires and sending plumes of black smoke into the air.The strikes on refineries in the Perm and Orenburg regions demonstrate the ability of Ukraine to target energy infrastructure far behind enemy lines. What's next? A local state of emergency has been declared in the coastal city of Tuapse as residents describe witnessing the river combusting from the refinery fire's runoff.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).