A Ukrainian drone strike hit the Russian Black Sea port of Tuapse on 20 April, causing a fire and killing at least one person, according to local officials.
The attack came just days after a similar incident on April 16, when another blaze had already been extinguished. Regional governor Veniamin Kondratiev said the port faced a “massive drone attack,” with one man killed, another injured, and debris damaging multiple civilian buildings including a kindergarten, school, church, and residential block, Reuters reported.
Tuapse is a key southern export hub for Russia, handling oil products and dry bulk cargo like coal and fertilizer. It is also home to a major refinery owned by Rosneft. Local authorities reported damage to transport infrastructure at the port, while schools in the area cancelled classes following the strike.
The attack is part of a broader escalation, with Ukraine increasing strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in recent weeks amid stalled peace talks. Russia’s defense ministry said it intercepted 112 Ukrainian drones overnight across the country.
The Tuapse port plays an important role in exporting refined fuels such as naphtha, fuel oil, and diesel from both local and regional refineries.