As a result of the nighttime attack by Ukrainian drones on the oil refinery in Tuapse, Russia, on May 17, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production unit was damaged. Because of this, the plant has halted its operations, informs Reuters.
"There was no black smoke during the fire. That means it was just the gas (LPG) burning," a Reuters source explained.
According to the source, from a technical standpoint, it is possible to bypass the liquefied gas unit and restart the refinery soon.
"There is an option to bypass the LPG unit and restart the refinery relatively soon," the source added.
Drone attack on refinery in Tuapse
On the night of May 17, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Department (GUR) attacked the Russian targets in Sevastopol, Tuapse, and Novorossiysk with over a hundred drones. These targets included a seaport, an oil refinery, an oil terminal, and a power substation.
Specifically, the SBU hit the Tuapse oil refinery with drones, which the Russians had started to restore. However, after the new explosions, repairs will have to start over.
Analysts claim that the strike on the Tuapse refinery was demonstrative and indicates Russia's lack of air defense systems.