Ukraine Says It Hit Tuapse Refinery Again as Fires and Health Alerts Grip Black Sea Port

Overview

• Ukraine’s security service said Friday it struck the Tuapse oil refinery and port infrastructure, and local officials reported a new fire at the site.
• The city has been under a local state of emergency since a drone attack on Tuesday ignited storage tanks and halted operations at the refinery.
• Oil slicks fouled beaches along the Black Sea coast, and emergency crews said they removed 12,600 cubic meters of contaminated material.
• Health officials warned of high benzene in the air, told residents to use only bottled water, closed schools, and canceled May Day events as many locals voiced distrust of official reassurances.
• The strikes are part of a broader Ukrainian campaign against Russian energy assets, which analysts say aims to disrupt refining and export logistics as both sides target infrastructure.