Russian oil refinery in Kuban shut down after night attack

Illustrative photo: refinery in Kuban stopped after night attack (Russian media)

The Russian oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai stopped operating on May 19. It was attacked during the night, according to RIA Novosti.

The oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban, Russia, has reportedly halted operations. Explosions were heard in the vicinity of the refinery overnight, and reports indicated a drone attack and subsequent fire.

There were explosions heard overnight in the area near the oil refinery. Reports circulated online that drones attacked the plant, causing a fire.

The Russian Ministry of Defense, meanwhile, claims that 57 drones were destroyed or intercepted over the Krasnodar Krai. Shoigu assures that three more drones were destroyed over the Belgorod region, with one allegedly shot down over Crimea.

Local authorities in Krasnodar Krai reported a drone crash on the premises of the Slavyansk-on-Kuban refinery, though Russian sources denied casualties or significant damage.

Not the first attack

This is not the first attack on the oil refinery in Slavyansk-on-Kuban. According to sources from RBC-Ukraine, on the night of April 27, drones from the Security Service of Ukraine attacked two oil refineries in the Krasnodar Krai of Russia - Ilsky and Slavyansk. At that time, the Kushchyovskaya military air base was also hit.

Another attack on the Slavyansk-on-Kuban refinery occurred in March, involving explosions and a subsequent fire.