Two killed, refinery on fire in Russia’s Krasnodar after drone attack

What the report says

A drone attack set off a fire at the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, according to local authorities cited by Al Jazeera. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said at least two people were killed and two others injured when drone debris fell near the Afipsky railway station. The report said the refinery fire followed the strike, highlighting the vulnerability of energy and transport sites in the area.

Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces hit the Afipsky facilities and also struck a gas processing plant in Russia’s Astrakhan region overnight. Russia’s defence ministry, meanwhile, said its air defences shot down 148 Ukrainian drones and claimed separate strikes on a cargo vessel and port infrastructure near Odesa that it said were linked to Ukrainian military supplies. The opposing claims reflect the continuing pattern of cross-border attacks and counterclaims in the war.

Al Jazeera said Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure in recent months, an effort that has contributed to fuel shortages and pressure on Moscow’s war economy. The article also noted that President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing temporary state control of inadequately protected critical infrastructure, suggesting growing concern inside Russia about asset security. The developments came as Ukraine’s allies met in Kyiv to reaffirm support for the country.