Ukraine drone attack sparks fire at Sochi oil depot, Russian authorities say
3 min read
Firefighters respond to a massive blaze following a reported drone strike on a Russian oil depot in Sochi.
Ukrainian Drone Strike Sparks Fire at Russian Oil Facility in Sochi
A fire erupted at an oil depot near Sochi on Russia’s Black Sea coast following what Russian authorities have described as a Ukrainian drone strike. The blaze, which broke out over the weekend, sent thick plumes of smoke over the resort city and forced a temporary suspension of flights at the nearby airport.
Fuel Tank Hit by Drone Debris, Firefighters Deployed
Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of Russia’s Krasnodar region, confirmed that debris from a downed drone ignited a fuel tank at the facility. More than 120 firefighters were dispatched to battle the massive blaze, which spread rapidly through the depot’s storage units. No fatalities have been reported as of Monday.
Airport Suspends Flights Amid Rising Tensions
As a precaution, the Sochi International Airport—site of the 2014 Winter Olympics—briefly suspended operations due to the proximity of the fire. Local authorities later announced that flight services had resumed, but concerns remain over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in southern Russia to repeated drone attacks.
Russian Missile Strike Hits Ukraine’s Mykolaiv
In retaliation, Russia launched a missile assault on the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, destroying homes and civilian infrastructure. According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, seven people were injured in the strike, with three of them requiring hospitalization. Mykolaiv, located near the Black Sea, has been a frequent target throughout the war.
Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks Across Russia
Russian officials reported that the Sochi incident was part of a broader wave of drone assaults over the weekend. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck multiple cities across southern Russia, including Ryazan, Penza, and Voronezh. In Voronezh, four civilians were injured in one of the strikes, prompting regional leaders to boost air defence readiness.
Kyiv Remains Silent on Sochi Incident
The Ukrainian government has not issued a formal statement regarding the drone attacks, in keeping with its policy of strategic ambiguity on strikes inside Russian territory. However, Ukrainian forces have previously acknowledged targeting Russian energy infrastructure in response to Moscow’s relentless bombardment of Ukraine’s energy grid.
Russia and Ukraine Trade Overnight Attacks
Both sides continued overnight attacks on Sunday into Monday. Russia’s defence ministry claimed it intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones, 60 of which were flying over the Black Sea. In contrast, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 83 aerial weapons comprising either 76 drones and seven missiles, or all drones with 61 of them intercepted.
Sixteen Drones and Six Missiles Hit Multiple Ukrainian Sites
Despite Ukraine’s successful air defences, at least 16 drones and six missiles struck eight locations across the country. The attacks followed a deadly pattern of air assaults that has marked the past week, including a devastating missile barrage on Kyiv last Thursday that claimed the lives of at least 31 civilians.
Related article
Ukraine officials held in military drone corruption probe
Over 300 Drones Used in Kyiv Assault
Ukrainian officials reported that more than 300 drones and eight cruise missiles were used during the attack on Kyiv, making it one of the deadliest on the capital since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The scale and coordination of the strike have raised alarm about Russia’s continued capability to conduct high-intensity attacks deep inside Ukraine.
Zelensky Calls for Stronger Sanctions, Trump Vows Action
In the aftermath of the strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his appeal for tougher international sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump condemned Moscow’s actions and hinted at new sanctions that could include steep tariffs on Russian oil and other exports.
Trump Sets New Deadline for Putin to End War
Trump, who had previously warned Russia to end the war within 50 days or face economic consequences, revised his ultimatum to a shorter “10 or 12-day” deadline. He later announced that the new cutoff date would fall on 8 August, though it remains unclear what measures would follow if Moscow fails to comply.
About The Author
