Refinery Struck in Overnight Attack
An oil refinery in the village of Novominskaya, located in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, was hit by a drone attack on the night of February 28, 2026. The incident resulted in a large fire at the Albashneft 'mini-refinery', according to reports from the Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters. The blaze was attributed to 'falling debris from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)'.
Fire Contained, No Casualties Reported
The fire, which broke out at the facility, engulfed one of its storage tanks and spread to an adjacent area covering approximately 150 square meters. Emergency services, including 39 firefighters and 13 fire appliances, were deployed to the scene to combat the flames. Russian authorities confirmed that the fire was fully extinguished by approximately 8 a.m. local time on February 28. Crucially, no casualties were reported as a result of the attack.
Russian Air Defenses and Ukrainian Justification
Russia's Interior Ministry stated that its air defenses intercepted a total of 97 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions, with at least four drones reportedly shot down over Krasnodar Krai. While Russian officials reported the interceptions, the Kyiv Independent noted it could not verify these claims at the time of publication.
Ukrainian forces have consistently targeted Russian oil assets, viewing them as legitimate military targets. These facilities are considered vital for supplying the Russian army and for generating profits that fund the Kremlin's war efforts. The Krasnodar Krai, situated across the Kerch Strait from the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, has been a frequent target of such attacks. The Albashneft facility in Novominskaya was reportedly struck in a previous attack in February 2025, indicating a pattern of targeting energy infrastructure in the region.
Operational Impact
Following the drone attack, operations at the plant in the Kaniv district were partially suspended. The extent of the damage to the refinery's equipment is currently being assessed. This incident marks another in a series of strikes against Russia's energy infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing strategic importance of these facilities in the conflict.
6 Comments
Coccinella
It's clear Ukraine is trying to disrupt Russia's war funding, but the long-term effectiveness of these strikes versus the potential for retaliatory actions is debatable.
Habibi
Targeting refineries is a dangerous game.
ZmeeLove
The strategic aim to weaken Russia's military supply is understandable, yet targeting energy facilities often leads to environmental concerns and could be seen as an escalation beyond direct combat zones.
Muchacho
While these strikes undoubtedly cause economic disruption for Russia, the claim of 'no casualties' doesn't fully account for the environmental damage or the potential for future, more severe retaliatory attacks.
Mariposa
Every strike on their oil funds less war.
Comandante
This only harms ordinary people, not the Kremlin.