A drone attack on an oil depot in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region last week has triggered a massive fire and caused a spill of oil products, regional officials confirmed on Sunday.
The fire near the village of Kavkazskaya has now spread to an area of 2,000 square meters, significantly larger than the 1,250 square meters initially reported, according to state news agency TASS.
No Casualties, But Oil Spill Raises Concerns
While no casualties were reported, officials revealed that oil products had spilled as the flames engulfed part of the facility. Fortunately, other buildings and oil tanks at the depot remained undamaged, regional authorities wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
Firefighting teams, supported by firefighting trains loaded with water, battled the blaze throughout Saturday, working to contain the expanding inferno.
Geopolitical Implications: Russia Accuses Ukraine of Ceasefire Violation
Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, stating that it amounted to a violation of an agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure. This agreement was part of ongoing efforts to negotiate a broader ceasefire in the war with Ukraine.
The Kavkazskaya depot is a key rail terminal for Russian oil supplies destined for a pipeline to Kazakhstan, making it a strategic energy hub. The disruption is expected to impact regional oil logistics, although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Growing Drone Threat to Energy Infrastructure
The drone strike is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Russian energy facilities, raising concerns over the vulnerability of vital infrastructure.
Local officials have not yet disclosed whether the spilled oil products pose an environmental threat, but cleanup efforts are expected to be extensive.
A Symbol of Escalating Tensions
The Kavkazskaya oil depot fire highlights the escalating risks to energy security in the region, as the conflict in Ukraine continues to spill over into critical infrastructure.
✅ As the situation develops, experts warn that further drone attacks could significantly disrupt oil supplies and intensify geopolitical tensions.
