Moscow: Ukrainian drones targeted Russia’s Temryuk seaport in Krasnodar Krai and the Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara Oblast during overnight strikes on Dec. 4-5, according to Russian officials and media reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the Temryuk port sustained damage after a drone strike ignited fires at the site, as reported by the Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters. Local residents previously reported the port attack, noting the burning of fuel tanks. Regional authorities did not specify the exact targets but confirmed damage to “elements of the port infrastructure in Temryuk.” All personnel were evacuated with no casualties reported.
The Temryuk port, a significant Russian facility in the Sea of Azov, operates an oil export terminal and a large liquefied petroleum gas facility. Eyewitness footage analyzed by Russian opposition news outlet Astra showed a gas terminal ablaze following the attack.
Simultaneously, residents of Syzran in Samara Oblast reported explosions at the local oil refinery, as noted by Astra. Videos and images of the attack surfaced on social media. Syzran Mayor Sergey Volodchenkov confirmed the drone attack on the city but did not specify the exact targets.
The Syzran Oil Refinery, located approximately 700 kilometers from the Russia-Ukraine border, is part of the Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft and has an annual processing capacity of 8.5 million tons. The facility has been a target in previous drone strikes as part of Ukraine’s efforts against the Russian oil industry, which supports Moscow’s military operations.
Ukraine’s use of homegrown long-range drones to target Russia’s oil infrastructure has been described by Ukrainian officials as part of Kyiv’s “long-range sanctions.”