A Ukrainian drone strike overnight ignited a major fire at an oil depot near the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, intensifying the ongoing conflict as both sides continue to exchange strikes across the region. Russian officials confirmed the attack Sunday, marking yet another escalation amid growing international pressure for a ceasefire.
Krasnodar regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported that more than 120 firefighters responded to the massive blaze caused by falling debris from a downed drone that struck a fuel tank. Videos circulating online showed thick plumes of smoke rising above the facility. In response, Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, temporarily shut down operations at Sochi International Airport.
Further north, authorities in Russia’s Voronezh region confirmed that four civilians were injured in another Ukrainian drone attack. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and the Black Sea overnight.
On the Ukrainian side, Russia launched a large-scale overnight strike involving 76 drones and seven missiles. Ukraine’s air force reported that 60 drones and one missile were intercepted, but 16 drones and six missiles struck eight different regions. In the southern city of Mykolaiv, a Russian missile hit a residential area, wounding seven people, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Services.
These developments cap one of the deadliest weeks in the war in months. On Thursday, a major Russian attack killed 31 Ukrainians, including five children, and wounded over 150 others.
The surge in violence follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent move to impose a firm deadline for peace progress. Trump announced on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has until August 8 to demonstrate movement toward a ceasefire or face renewed U.S. sanctions. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is scheduled to visit Moscow to facilitate negotiations.
