Fire at Key Russian Oil Hub Doubles in Size Following Drone Attack

The fire at the Kavkazskaya oil storage facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region has nearly doubled in size, now covering 3,750 square meters, regional emergency services reported on March 19.

Authorities stated that the fire engulfed a fuel storage tank that had already been leaking oil products before the incident.

According to the Russian sources, firefighters were extinguishing three key points on the site:

• One of the storage tanks;

• Shut-off valves;

• Burning oil products within the containment area around the tank.

276 firefighters and 105 units of firefighting equipment, including two specialized fire trains, were deployed to contain the blaze.

The Kavkazskaya oil terminal is a crucial link in Russia’s oil export network, connecting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) with rail-based oil shipments.

The facility’s infrastructure includes a 15.7-kilometer pipeline leading to the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, which plays a key role in transporting oil to Novorossiysk for export.

Major Russian energy giants such as Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, Lukoil, Surgutneftegaz, and TNK rely on this hub for oil transit. The CPC system moves an estimated 6 million tons of crude annually to international markets.

The fire at the Kavkazskaya facility was triggered by an overnight drone strike on March 19. The attack reportedly targeted a pipeline complex transporting oil to Novorossiysk, causing a massive explosion and fire.

Earlier, a large fuel storage tank at the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region was struck in an overnight drone attack.

The Tuapse refinery, one of Russia’s largest, is owned by state-controlled Rosneft and specializes in primary oil processing. With an annual capacity of approximately 12 million tons of crude oil, the refinery produces diesel, fuel oil, and aviation kerosene. Ninety percent of its output is designated for export.