Putin Silent as Massive Tuapse Oil Terminal Fire Sparks Toxic Smog Across Russia’s Black Sea Coast

While firefighters battled the blaze and emergency crews cleared damaged buildings, Putin continued a routine schedule of meetings and public appearances. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin takes part via videoconference from Moscow on March 27, 2026, in the opening ceremony of the Azerbaijan Musical and Drama Theater held in Derbent. (Photo by Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Vladimir Putin has remained silent for a week over a massive fire at the Tuapse oil terminal , triggered after Ukrainian drone strikes and followed by a toxic smog spreading hundreds of kilometers along Russia’s Black Sea coast. Environmentalists have called the incident “the largest ecological catastrophe” in the region in recent years. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The first strike on the facility occurred on the night of April 16 , when Ukrainian drones hit the oil refinery infrastructure. The attack sparked a major fire, killed two local residents, injured seven others, and forced authorities to declare a state of emergency in Tuapse. While firefighters battled the blaze and emergency crews cleared damaged buildings, Putin continued a routine schedule of meetings and public appearances. On the day of the attack, he discussed support measures for participants in Russia’s war against Ukraine with the head of Karachay-Cherkessia, according to official reports, cited by The Moscow Times . In the days that followed, as the fire continued and emergency workers responded to the aftermath, Putin held talks on unrelated domestic issues , including cultural cooperation, agriculture, and regional infrastructure projects. The refinery site was officially reported as extinguished on April 19 – but the situation quickly escalated again. On April 20 , Ukrainian drones struck the Tuapse refinery a second time, hitting fuel storage tanks and reigniting large-scale fires. Authorities also reported an oil slick spreading into the Black Sea and contamination reaching a local river. Residents described “oil rain” coating streets in a greasy film. Other Topics of Interest Budanov: Ukraine Not Losing War but Needs AI Breakthrough to Win Drone Race The head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office said the country is not losing the war but needs an AI-driven technological leap to stay ahead in the escalating drone race with Russia. The environmental impact widened rapidly. Smoke from the burning terminal spread up to 300 kilometers, reaching Sochi, Anapa, and Stavropol. Health authorities urged residents to stay indoors, keep windows shut, and wear masks, while schools and kindergartens were closed. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.