Refinery capacity has decreased in Tuapse following a new attack
Following yet another—the fourth—attack on the oil refinery in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, on the night of May 1, reports indicate a decline in its production capacity. According to representatives of "Madyar," the incident had significant consequences for the plant's operations. After the strike, thick black smoke rose over the city, enveloping the refinery area.
Olga Melyoshina, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces, spoke about this during a televised marathon.
What "Madyar" said
This morning, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert "Madyar" Brovdi reported a new strike on the Tuapse Oil Refinery.
"Tuapse, Chernobyl-style, 4.0 Remake Part Four: every week, my friends and I go to Tuapse. Naftovykiv Street, gas station number 24… (TV series “Have a Safe Flight!”). And there goes a nice warm one, A5,” “Madyar” wrote on Facebook.
Comment from the SBS spokesperson
As spokesperson Olga Meloshina explained, SBS units are operating in coordination with other components of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
She noted that details of the operation are not being disclosed at this time, and official confirmation from the General Staff is expected.
“The oil refinery had a capacity of 12 million tons of oil per year. But the fourth strike, I think, has slightly reduced that capacity, and we will do everything to ensure that the enemy’s capacity continues to decline,” said Meloshina.
She emphasized that strikes on Russia’s oil refining infrastructure are legitimate targets, as they provide funding for the Russian army.
"Unmanned aerial systems are targeting exclusively facilities linked to the enemy’s military... refining and oil processing are sources of funding for the enemy’s army," noted the SBS spokesperson.
According to her, such strikes have not only an economic but also a psychological effect, as they undermine the perception of security in Russia’s deep rear.
"While previously, an area 1,500 or 2,000 kilometers from the state border was considered a safe rear for Russia, today the situation is changing," the spokesperson said.
Melyoshina also reported that the final figures for April are still being finalized, but according to analysts’ estimates, Russian oil refining capacity could have decreased by 20–30%.
She separately noted that the effectiveness of such operations is linked to the destruction of Russia’s air defense system.
"Over the winter and early spring, our units managed to destroy more than 100 air defense systems," the spokesperson added.
What is happening in Tuapse today
Photos are circulating online showing thick black smoke over Tuapse following another attack on a local oil refinery.
According to local social media posts, a major fire has broken out in the city, and there are also reports of power outages.
Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of the Krasnodar Krai, has not commented on the new fire in Tuapse. Instead, he congratulated the region’s residents “on the start of the May holidays.”
Drones attacked Tuapse again, causing fires at the oil refinery and in the port.
Photos, video: Thick smoke once again blanketed Tuapse after the attack on the oil refinery.
Residents of Tuapse, Russia, are increasingly complaining about the unbearable living conditions in the frontline city. Once a popular resort, it has turned into an area of environmental disaster and constant danger due to regular explosions at local industrial facilities.
In Tuapse, Russia, while cleaning up the aftermath of an oil spill, the city beach was covered with a new layer of pebbles. At the same time, local residents and environmentalists claim that traces of fuel oil are still visible near the water and that a full cleanup has not taken place.
