This satellite image provided by Vantor shows smoke rising from oil infrastructure in Tuapse in the southern Krasnodar region of Russia after the town’s oil refinery and shipping terminal were attacked by Ukrainian drones multiple times in preceding weeks. Photo: Satellite image ©2026 Vantor via AP
Ukrainian drones are flying deep into Russia to strike oil facilities, sending up plumes of smoke that can be seen from space and bringing toxic rain to tourist destinations on the Black Sea.
The attacks are aimed at slashing Moscow’s oil exports, a key source of funding for its grinding invasion of Ukraine. But the economic impact is so far unclear, as the rise in oil prices from the Iran war, and a related easing of U.S. sanctions, have helped replenish the Kremlin’s coffers.
Published – May 02, 2026 11:27 am IST
