Over 120 Ukrainian drones were destroyed during the course of the night
Massive Drone Attack Hits Multiple Russian Regions
A coordinated drone attack targeted several Russian regions overnight from July 23 to July 24, 2025, with Krasnodar Krai bearing the brunt of the assault. The attack involved Ukrainian drones targeting military and industrial sites, causing significant damage and civilian casualties.
Drone Interceptions and Casualties
Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 39 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones during approximately five hours, with seven of these drones coming down over Krasnodar Krai. Tragically, two women near Adler district in Sochi died from injuries caused by drone wreckage, and 11 others were injured. At least four people were wounded in related strikes in Krasnodar and neighboring Belgorod regions.
Infrastructure Damage
The drone wreckage struck an oil depot in Sochi, causing a significant fire at the Afipsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai. This refinery, which processes approximately 6 million metric tons of crude oil annually, supplies fuel critical for Russian military logistics. The gas condensate processing unit at the refinery was ignited by debris, though emergency crews managed to extinguish the blaze by morning.
Ongoing Campaign
These strikes were part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to weaken Russia’s war capabilities. Subsequent drone attacks continued targeting Krasnodar Krai and other Russian regions, aiming at military and energy infrastructure, with both sides employing intensive drone warfare.
Key Regions Affected
The highest number of drones were shot down over Krasnodar Krai - 29. Other affected regions include Belgorod Oblast (12), Kaluga Oblast (7), Rяazan Oblast (4), Stavropol Krai (8), Tula Oblast (6), Saratov Oblast (8), Voronezh Oblast (9), Rostov Oblast (5), Bryansk region (13), and single drones were shot down in Smolensk, Oryol, and Tver Oblasts.
Aftermath and Lift of Drone Threat
The drone threat in Krasnodar Krai was lifted two days after August 10. The massive drone attack resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, significant damage to crucial oil refining infrastructure, and fits within a sustained Ukrainian drone campaign against key Russian military and energy assets amid the ongoing conflict.
General news outlets report an escalation in war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, as Ukrainian drones continue to target multiple Russian regions. Politics surrounding this ongoing campaign are heated, with both sides accusing the other of using drone warfare in a strategically damaging manner, particularly in regions like Krasnodar Krai. Meanwhile, sports events have been temporarily postponed or relocated due to the heightened tensions and drone threats.
