In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian forces conducted a major overnight attack on the Slavyansk oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, on December 17, 2023. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that Deep Strike weapons were deployed, resulting in substantial damage to the facility and igniting a large fire. Eyewitness accounts and video footage shared via the Telegram channel Exilenova Plus show dramatic scenes of thick clouds of smoke rising from the refinery.
The attack led to multiple explosions at the site, causing officials from the Operational Headquarters of Krasnodar Krai to report that two high-voltage power lines were damaged. This disruption left over 38,000 residents without electricity, with approximately 13,000 still experiencing outages. Additionally, two individuals sustained injuries from debris reportedly falling from the drones used in the strike.
Details of the Attack and Its Impact
The Slavyansk oil refinery, a crucial installation for processing crude oil and gas condensate with an annual capacity of around 5.2 million tons, has been a repeated target since the onset of the conflict in 2022. The facility plays a vital role in supplying resources to Russian military forces. Following this strike, the Ukrainian military also confirmed an assault on the “Nikolaevskaya” oil depot in the Rostov region, where initial assessments indicate damage to a storage tank and the river vessel Captain Gibert.
In efforts to undermine Russian military capabilities in occupied areas, Ukrainian forces targeted a field artillery ammunition depot linked to the 101st Separate Brigade of Russian material and technical support. The extent of the damage at this location is still being evaluated.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that 31 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed over Krasnodar Krai during the night, emphasizing the ongoing tension and conflict in the region.
Broader Military Implications
The attacks are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to disrupt Russian operations and diminish its offensive capabilities. Prior to the refinery strike, on December 14, Ukrainian strike drones successfully damaged the R. Graifer drilling platform in the Caspian Sea. This facility, essential for processing and transferring extracted gas, sustained confirmed damage, leading to the shutdown of all 14 wells, which collectively produced nearly 3,500 tons of gas daily.
As military operations continue to escalate, the implications of these attacks may extend beyond immediate damage. The strikes highlight the ongoing volatility in the region and the persistence of hostilities as both nations strive to assert their military objectives. The situation remains dynamic, with further developments anticipated in the coming days as assessments of the damage and operational impacts unfold.
