Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Oil Refinery Terminal in Russian City of Novorossiysk

During the night of April 6, 2026, the southern Russian port city of Novorossiysk experienced a series of explosions that local residents believe were the result of a drone attack targeting the oil refinery terminal. Reports from local media indicate substantial damage, including hits to a residential building in the Yuzhny district.

The Sheskharis oil refinery terminal, as reported by the independent Russian news channel Astra, was struck by drones, a claim supported by open-source analysis and eyewitness accounts. This terminal serves as a crucial export point for oil, facilitating pipelines owned by the state company Transneft, which is recognized as the largest oil transportation company in the world.

According to Exilenova Plus, the most intense fires were observed at the first dock of the terminal, with damage also recorded at the second dock. Additionally, there were reports of damage to the control and data collection systems, which function as computer equipment for monitoring the terminal's operations.

Due to the infrastructure damage, the Sheskharis terminal will be unable to continue oil shipments, as stated by Exilenova Plus. Local authorities confirmed that drone debris struck a residential building, prompting emergency services to be dispatched to the scene.

Furthermore, fires were reported in another area of this Black Sea city, according to information from Astra. Local authorities are currently investigating potential casualties from the incident.

Novorossiysk has become a key base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet after many ships were relocated following repeated Ukrainian strikes on occupied Crimea. The city's port also serves as an important military and logistical hub for Russia.

Ukraine has been consistently targeting military infrastructure deep within Russian territory and in occupied areas, aiming to diminish Moscow's capacity to sustain its war against Ukraine.

Previously, Ukraine had already struck the Sheskharis oil refinery terminal on March 2, causing damage to the port's infrastructure as well as to military vessels and air defense systems. A source within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) informed the Kyiv Independent that six out of seven oil loading hoses at the terminal were damaged during the March 2 attack, alongside strikes on Russian military facilities in and around the port.

Kyiv considers oil refinery facilities legitimate military targets, as they directly finance Russia's war efforts.