Smoke rises above the port of Taganrog in southwest Russia after Ukrainian strikes, July 10, 2026 (Exilenova)
Thursday’s Coverage: Russia Bans Diesel Exports Amid Its Fuel Crisis
UPDATE 0742 GMT:
Ukraine has launched a criminal investigation after Russia strikes set off a large-scale detonation at an ammunition depot in Vyshneve in the Kyiv region on Monday.
The Russians hit a warehouse, triggering a secondary explosion. Seven people were killed and 29 injured in the small town.
Zelensky told reporters on Thursday that the facility belonged to the Ukrainian defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom, the country’s largest weapons manufacturer.
The President confirmed the investigation with the cooperation of the State Security Service SBU, the Interior Ministry, and the Prosecutor General’s Office.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine has carried out more strikes on Russia’s oil refineries, adding to the Russian fuel crisis and hindering its 52 1/2-month invasion.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky summarized, “Our warriors are carrying out the long-range sanctions plan in response to Russia dragging out the war and continuing its attacks.”
Kyiv’s forces struck the Ilsky Oil Refinery in southwest Russia overnight early Friday. Photos and videos posted to social media showed large, glowing flames rising from the complex.
The refinery is in Krasnodar Krai, around 500 km (310 miles) from Ukrainian-controlled territory. It is among the largest in southern Russia, producing nearly 6.6 million tons of fuel annually.
The facility has been targeted at least 17 times by Ukraine, with the last previous attack on June 2.
Later in the morning, Kyiv targeted oil infrastructure in the Rostov region in southwest Russia. Clouds of smoke billowed over the port city of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov, amid reports of a strike on the oil terminal.
Witnesses also reported flames from an oil depot in the nearby town of Azov.
One of Russia’s largest refineries, Saratov, reportedly halted processing after a Ukrainian drone strike early Wednesday. Sources said the refinery’s only crude distillation unit may have been hit.
The refinery can process around 20,000 metric tons of oil per day, equivalent to about 147,000 barrels, with a yearly volume of 4.8 million metric tons in 2023. It produces more than 20 types of petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, and bitumen.
