Overview
- Regional officials said open burning at the Black Sea marine terminal was extinguished, though smoke, soot and health warnings continued in nearby communities.
- The fire began after Monday's Ukrainian drone strike on the Tuapse refinery and storage tanks, with satellite images showing a smoke plume stretching along the coast and reaching Stavropol about 300 kilometers away.
- Russia’s consumer safety watchdog Rospotrebnadzor measured benzene, xylene and soot at two to three times legal limits, and authorities urged people to keep windows closed, limit time outdoors and use masks.
- Residents posted videos of so‑called oil rain that left black spots on cars and laundry and complained of scant guidance as schools stayed open, while a local prosecutor’s tree‑planting photo with smoke in the background was deleted after backlash.
- Reuters, citing industry sources, reported that April oil output in Russia will drop by 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day because drone strikes on ports and refineries have disrupted operations.