Russia’s Naftatrans Oil Depot in Krasnodar Reportedly Ceases to Exist After a Drone Strike

A massive fire has completely engulfed the Naftatrans Kavkazskaya oil storage facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar region, with witnesses reporting that the facility has been reduced to ruins following a series of explosions, Russian media outlet ASTRA reported on March 21.

In addition, witnesses reported that a third oil storage tank exploded, sending black debris flying into the air. Shortly after, they confirmed that the entire facility was in flames.

“Uncontrolled fire, smoke spreading over the city. We’ve closed all windows and doors and are waiting for further instructions,” local residents reported.

Authorities have not issued an evacuation order despite the fire raging just two kilometers from the nearest homes.

According to sources, firefighters have lost control of the blaze.

“They can’t put it out. The entire depot is on fire, it’s completely destroyed—it will burn to the ground. The strike hit right in the center. The storage tanks were packed to capacity with oil,” one witness told ASTRA.

The oil facility in Kavkazskaya was attacked by five drones on March 19, damaging a pipeline between two massive storage tanks. Hours later, one of the tanks caught fire.

On the night of March 21, another powerful explosion occurred, injuring firefighters battling the blaze.

Prior to the attack, the facility was believed to be holding up to 100,000 tons of oil products, with five tanks each containing 20,000 cubic meters of fuel.

The Naftatrans depot is strategically linked to a rail-based oil terminal and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), one of Russia’s key oil export routes.

Earlier, reports emerged that the fire at the Kavkazskaya oil storage facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region doubled in size, covering 3,750 square meters.

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