Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and State Security Service (SBU) attacked a marine oil terminal and oil refinery on Russia’s Black Sea coast during the night of Dec. 31, according to Ukrainian intelligence sources.
A source within the HUR told Kyiv Post that a strike had been carried out on energy infrastructure in Tuapse, a town in Russia’s Krasnodar region – striking both the AVT-12 primary oil processing unit of the Tuapse Oil Refinery and the transport pipelines and bulk equipment of the marine oil terminal.
“The staff of the Main Intelligence Directorate sincerely congratulates the Russian serfs on the upcoming holidays and wholeheartedly presents this New Year’s fireworks,” the source said.
Kyiv Post has not independently verified the report. However, Ukrainian war blogger Supernova+ posted several videos purporting to show the aftermath of the strike on Telegram.
According to the same source, Tuapse Oil Refinery was previously capable of processing about 12 million tons of oil per year – if accurate, this would represent a significant contribution to Russia’s war effort.
Ukraine has struck numerous Russian oil refineries since September in an – apparently successful – effort to put pressure on Russia’s economy. Russian state media reported dramatically spiking petrol prices and kilometers-long queues outside gas stations. On Dec. 28, Russia extended its ban on gasoline exports until the end of February.
“Pyrotechnic shows with impressive light and noise effects will continue throughout the territory of the aggressor country throughout the New Year and Christmas holidays under the patronage of the HUR of the Ministry of Defense and with the assistance of the entire Ukrainian people,” the HUR source told Kyiv Post. “Glory to Ukraine!”