Russia Intercepts 93 Ukrainian Drones Amid Sochi Oil Depot Blaze

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Russian officials announced the interception of 93 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight, including one over Krasnodar and 60 above the Black Sea. The drone barrage coincided with a major fire at an oil depot near Sochi, ignited when wreckage from a drone strike reportedly hit a fuel tank. Flights were briefly suspended at Sochi Airport but have since resumed.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, air defense units successfully downed the drones across multiple regions, highlighting a significant escalation in aerial attacks. The ministry’s report confirmed the drones were intercepted over several strategic zones, including coastal areas of the Black Sea and the Krasnodar region.

The fire at the oil depot in Sochi, a resort city along the Black Sea coast, was among the most significant Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure since the start of the conflict. Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev stated that over 120 firefighters responded after a fuel tank was struck by falling drone debris. Authorities declared the fire contained by early Sunday morning. The Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, confirmed that air traffic at Sochi International Airport was temporarily halted but resumed shortly thereafter.

Elsewhere in southern Russia, a drone strike in the Voronezh region injured at least four individuals and sparked fires at several local facilities. The Kremlin reported that its air defenses also intercepted 18 additional UAVs in that area.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities said Russian forces launched 76 drones and seven missiles overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force reported it had intercepted 60 of the drones and one missile, while the remaining projectiles hit targets across eight regions. In Mykolaiv, a Russian missile strike wounded at least seven people in a residential district.

While Russia reported no casualties in the Sochi incident, the event underscored Ukraine’s growing ability to conduct long-range UAV attacks against Russian rear-area targets. Russian state media emphasized the quick response of air defense systems and highlighted the protection of key infrastructure and civilian populations in typically non-military zones.

Ukraine did not issue a direct statement about the Sochi depot strike. However, Kyiv has repeatedly framed such operations as retaliatory measures in response to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy facilities. Earlier in the week, Ukrainian officials condemned a deadly Russian missile barrage that killed 31 people, including children, and reiterated calls for stronger Western military support and expanded sanctions against Moscow.

Despite ongoing hostilities, both sides have agreed to a prisoner exchange involving 1,200 individuals after negotiations in Istanbul. However, no ceasefire has been reached. In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump has set a deadline of August 8, 2025, for meaningful progress toward peace talks, warning of additional sanctions if the Kremlin fails to engage diplomatically.