In the early hours of July 24, a massive fire erupted at the Sochi Oil Depot located in the Adler district, one of the most populated areas of Sochi, Russia.
Sochi Oil Depot Hit in Massive Overnight Attack
The city, known for its resorts and proximity to the Black Sea, was shaken as explosions lit up the sky following a drone strike. The target is believed to be the Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt oil terminal, which is thought to supply fuel to Sochi International Airport.
Local residents were woken by the deafening sounds of drone engines and sudden blasts. Many shared videos on social media showing glowing skies, flaming debris, and loud booms. The fire was intense and spread quickly across the Sochi Oil Depot, raising concerns of a possible fuel shortage and public safety.
Authorities in the nearby Sirius settlement confirmed that a drone strike triggered the fire on Tavricheskaya Street. Emergency services rushed to the scene, urging the public to stay away from the area. Roads were blocked, and people were told not to travel either by car or on foot.
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Due to the strike, Sochi International Airport had to shut down operations from 11:08 p.m. to 3:05 a.m. This temporary closure delayed nearly 100 flights and caused chaos for travelers. Airport officials later resumed operations, but normal service was still affected into the next morning.
S-400 Air Defenses Fail to Protect Sochi Oil Depot
One of the biggest surprises from the incident was the failure of Russia’s so-called “ultra modern” S-400 air defense system. These defense systems are supposed to protect key locations like the Sochi Oil Depot from airborne threats. But despite being active during the attack, they were unable to stop all the drones.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, at least 39 drones were launched toward the Black Sea region. Seven were intercepted over Krasnodar Krai. Another 32 were shot down over the Black Sea and the Azov Sea. However, several drones managed to slip through, reaching critical infrastructure, including the Sochi Oil Depot.
One drone crashed in the Sirius settlement, about two kilometers from a local educational center. Another exploded on Aviatsionnaya Street in the Adler district. There, falling debris hit a garage area and started another fire. Tragically, one woman died, and another person suffered serious injuries. Emergency officials confirmed that eleven people were injured in total, with four needing hospitalization.
The S-400 and older S-300 systems were seen firing into the night sky above Sochi. Residents described loud booms and flashes as missiles were launched in attempts to intercept the incoming drones. However, some drones continued past the defenses and hit their intended targets.
The damage at the Sochi Oil Depot was severe. Flames spread across the facility quickly, and firefighting teams were deployed to contain the blaze. Videos captured by bystanders showed thick black smoke rising above the city skyline.
Broader Drone Assault Hits Russia’s Key Sites
The drone attack on the Sochi Oil Depot was not an isolated event. In a separate but possibly related incident, four drones hit the Shchekinoazot chemical plant in Russia’s Tula region. This attack caused a fire in one of the site’s rectification towers. Emergency services were sent to the scene, but no official injury report has been shared yet.
Meanwhile, in and around Sochi, fixed-wing drones were spotted over multiple districts. Many were intercepted, but several still reached their targets. Some drones crashed, others exploded mid-air, and some struck sensitive locations. The Sochi Oil Depot, given its role in fueling airport operations and nearby areas, was considered a high-value target.
After the attack, firefighters and emergency crews worked for hours to cool down the depot and prevent further explosions. Cleanup operations began even as investigators tried to assess how drones bypassed high-tech air defenses.
Despite multiple interceptions by advanced defense systems, the repeated damage caused by drones has raised questions about the ability of such systems to protect important civilian infrastructure like the Sochi Oil Depot.