Strike on Russian Refinery and Navy Frigate in Novorossiysk: Ukrainian Defense Forces Hit Six Targets

Attack on Russian Infrastructure

According to Главком: On the night of May 23, Ukraine's Defense Forces launched strikes against Russian military and fuel infrastructure assets. Among the targets hit were the Sheskharis oil terminal, the Grushovaya fuel depot in Novorossiysk, the tanker Chrysalis, the frigate Admiral Essen, a missile ship, and additional objectives in temporarily occupied territories. This operation highlights Ukraine's ongoing campaign to disrupt key Russian supply chains and naval capabilities.

The Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk, part of the Transneft system, was struck and confirmed to be on fire. With an annual throughput capacity of up to 75 million tons of oil and a storage tank farm holding about 1.28 million cubic meters, it is a critical export hub. The Grushovaya fuel depot, also hit and burning, has a storage capacity between 1.2 and 1.4 million cubic meters.

In the Black Sea, the tanker Chrysalis-operating as part of Russia's shadow fleet-was targeted. In Novorossiysk port, the frigate Admiral Essen (Project 11356) and a hovercraft missile ship (Project 1239) were also struck. The extent of damage to these vessels remains unknown.

Operations and Aftermath

The operation involved the 1st Separate Center of the SSO and the 9th Battalion Kairos of the 414th Separate Brigade. Additional targets hit included:

• communication hubs in Krasnorichenske (Luhansk region) and Smile (Zaporizhzhia region);
• a material and technical supply depot in Frolivske (Zaporizhzhia region);
• an ammunition depot in Prechystivka (Donetsk region);
• a rear base and logistics hub of the Russian 6th Air Force and Air Defense Army in Rovenky (Luhansk region);
• a drone control post in Oleshky (Kherson region);

In temporarily occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia region, fuel trucks, special equipment, and armored vehicles were also destroyed.

Additionally, an Osa surface-to-air missile system was eliminated in Donetsk, marking the 21st such system destroyed since the start of May. This attack on the Sheskharis terminal was the third since early 2026, following previous strikes in early March and early April 2026. Notably, on April 6, drones damaged six of the terminal's seven tanker loading arms.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that the facility handles oil and petroleum product transshipment for export and supports the Russian army's needs.

Ukraine's Defense Forces have pledged to continue systematically degrading the military-economic potential of Russian occupiers and compelling Russia to end its armed aggression against Ukraine.

This strike represents another phase in Ukraine's efforts to destroy key infrastructure supporting Russian military operations. Systematic attacks on fuel depots and naval vessels in the Black Sea signal a clear intent to reduce Russia's combat capabilities. Such operations could significantly impact Russian logistics and resource supply on the front lines, potentially shifting the conflict's balance of power.

In a related development, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have also targeted critical energy infrastructure, including an oil refinery in Yaroslavl and a drone depot in Rostov. These strategic strikes underscore Ukraine's commitment to disrupting Russian military capabilities and supply lines. For more details on this operation and its implications, read our report on the recent attacks against Russian facilities.