April 23, 2026, 9:15 p.mApril 23, 2026, 9:15 p.m
Following Ukrainian drone attacks, the fire at oil facilities in the southern Russian port city of Tuapse has been going on for several days and is causing serious environmental damage. Officially, Mayor Sergei Bojko announced on Telegram that the burning area at the oil loading terminal had been reduced to half. More than 270 firefighters with 77 vehicles are on duty. The oil flowing there was stopped on the Tuapse River with the help of barriers. No oil stains have been spotted in the Black Sea off the coast for several days.
Smoke column with benzene, xylene and soot
The well-known Russian video blogger Ilya Varlamov called the conditions in the port city an environmental disaster. A thick column of black smoke rose from Tuapse’s oil terminals and refinery. Even according to official information, the limit values for benzene, xylene and soot in the air were exceeded by two to three times on Monday evening. The authorities called on the population to avoid spending time outdoors.
Then rain followed, and the oil particles in the air formed black, greasy spots that dirty houses and cars – people also suffered. Photos on social networks show stray dogs in Tuapse whose fur is covered in globs of oil. The city will be cleaned of the residues, a member of parliament for the Krasnodar region, Sergei Altukhov, announced, according to the state news agency Tass.
Multiple attacks on port city
The Ukrainian army has attacked the Black Sea port with combat drones several times in recent days, most recently on Monday night. The attacks on the Russian oil industry are intended to slow down the enemy’s fuel supplies and prevent oil exports for the benefit of the Russian war chest. Russia has been waging a large-scale war against Ukraine for more than four years. (sda/dpa)