Ukrainian attack drones struck the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai just after midnight local time on January 1, 2026, causing multiple explosions, thick smoke, and fire, according to OSINTtechnical. Exilenova+ reported the facility as taking over from prior targets entering 2026, between 10:45 PM and 11:15 PM UTC on December 31. The strike follows a New York Times interactive report, shared via X in the same 29-minute window, detailing U.S. CIA and military assistance for Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and defense facilities. CIA Director Ratcliffe maintained support, including targeting specific refinery couplers to prolong shutdowns, with President Trump praising the covert operations for providing leverage against Russia. U.S. officials confirmed authorization extended to strikes on Russia's "shadow fleet" vessels in the Black Sea and Mediterranean. The Ilsky attack continues a pattern after the ongoing Lyudinovo oil depot fire in Kaluga region, reported active earlier between 10:15 PM and 10:45 PM UTC by Exilenova+ and ОДЕССА ИНФО.
