Drone Debris Sparks Fire at Russian Novorossiysk Oil Terminal, Injures Two
Incident Overview and Broader Context
Fire at Novorossiysk Oil Terminal
May 23 (Reuters) - Falling debris from drones triggered a fire at an oil terminal in Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and two people were injured, officials said early on Saturday.
Extent of the Damage
The General Headquarters of southern Krasnodar Region said in a post on Telegram that several technical and administrative buildings had caught fire. Debris had also fallen on the facility's oil storage terminal, it said.
Emergency Response and Casualties
The headquarters said emergency services were working at the scene. The injured men had been in the street when the drones attacked the port and were being treated in hospital.
Media Coverage
Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels posted video footage of what they described as a fire in the port area.
Wider Drone Attacks in the Region
Additional Damage in Anapa
The General Headquarters said drones had also damaged private houses farther north in the port city of Anapa.
Ukraine's Drone Campaign
Ukraine has intensified medium- and long-range drone attacks in recent months, focusing on oil facilities and aiming to disrupt industry revenue that helps Moscow fund the war. Some attacks in central Russia and the Ural Mountains have been at least 1,500 km (900 miles) from Ukraine's border.
Recent Attack on Yaroslavl Oil Refinery
Ukrainian forces on Friday also attacked a Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl, some 700 km from the border.
Ukrainian Defence Ministry Statement
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry said on X on Friday that Ukraine hit 11 Russian oil facilities this month as of May 21, including Kirishi, one of Russia's largest refineries.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Nia Williams and Tom Hogue)
