Putin denounces Ukrainian drone strikes on Tuapse refinery, warns of environmental risks

 Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Russian president Vladimir Putin has denounced strikes by Ukraine’s defense forces on the Tuapse oil refinery, calling them “terrorist attacks” targeting civilian infrastructure.

Putin also cautioned that such attacks risk severe environmental consequences. Quoting the Russian president, state-run outlet TASS reported on his remarks.

“Terrorist threats are on the rise. International terrorist organizations, as well as radical and extremist groups, continue their subversive work. Furthermore, we know that the Kyiv regime and its backers have shifted to overt terrorist methods,” Putin said.

According to Putin, these actions stem from what he claims is Ukraine’s inability to halt the advance of Russian forces, which, he stated, gain more territory every day.

He also complained about the increasing number of drone strikes on civilian infrastructure in recent weeks.

“As a recent example, we have seen strikes on energy facilities in Tuapse. These could potentially trigger serious environmental consequences,” he said, adding that the regional governor had assured him there were no major issues as a result.

Putin is now demanding that authorities guarantee the safe conduct of upcoming elections.

He highlighted the upcoming State Duma elections, scheduled for September 2026, saying it is essential to ensure the security of everyone taking part in the vote across Russia.

Putin also stressed the importance of holding elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

“Those who deny Donbas and Novorossiya their historic right to be part of Russia will try to interfere with voting there,” he said.

The Kremlin leader also accused Ukraine of failing to hold its own elections and of allegedly seeking to prevent voting in the Donbas region.

Earlier, the Kremlin commented officially for the first time on the developments in Tuapse. Officials there claim that strikes on Tuapse’s oil storage facilities provoke “further destabilization of global energy markets,” which are already under strain due to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

On the night of April 28, drones once again attacked Russia’s Krasnodar region, hitting Tuapse just weeks after Russian authorities had extinguished fires resulting from previous mass strikes.