Attack on an Oil Storage Facility
In the early hours of June 18, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO), together with the partisan group known as 'Black Spark,' launched a strike on the 'Rostovnefteprodukt' oil depot and a fuel-lubricant storage base in the city of Gukovo, located in the Rostov region. Rostov Governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed one fatality and two injuries; the wounded are currently hospitalized in moderate condition. The attack also damaged a locomotive and sparked two fires at commercial sites.
Analysis and Official Response
What have analysts uncovered? Residents of Gukovo reported a blaze following strikes by Ukrainian drones. Analysts from the Astra channel documented that the oil depot on Karl Marx Street was burning, and Google satellite imagery from 2026 shows eight storage tanks and railway tracks at the facility. These bases were used for storing, transshipping, and loading gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products.
Governor Yuri Slyusar stated:
“Additionally, a locomotive was damaged, and two commercial properties caught fire. Emergency services are working at the scene.”
Details of the strike indicate a drone attack on an oil refinery in Gukovo during the night of June 18. In response to the aerial threat, Russian authorities activated the 'Kover' emergency plan in Moscow and several other regions. Notably, in December 2025, 'Black Spark' was involved in an SSO special operation in the Caspian Sea that destroyed two Russian vessels carrying weapons.
This attack underscores the growing activity of Ukrainian forces in the conflict, particularly in targeting strategic assets inside Russia. It also reflects Kyiv’s efforts to intensify pressure on enemy military infrastructure and may signal shifts in tactics involving unmanned aerial vehicles. The local authorities’ response and the implementation of the 'Kover' plan highlight the severity of the situation and Russia’s preparedness to counter potential airborne threats.
In light of the recent drone strike on the oil depot in Gukovo, it's noteworthy that this incident follows a similar pattern of escalating attacks on strategic energy facilities. For example, just days ago, drones targeted an oil refinery in Kapotnya, near Moscow, marking a significant uptick in such operations. This trend highlights the ongoing efforts by Ukrainian forces to disrupt Russian supply chains and military logistics. To understand more about these developments and their implications, read about the recent drone strikes in Kapotnya here.