Ukrainian Drone Strikes Ignite Fires at Perm Oil Pumping Station and Damage Sanctioned Black Sea Tanker

Ukrainian drones struck a Transneft-operated oil pumping station in Russia’s Perm Krai on April 29 and again on April 30, igniting fires in two to three storage tanks and damaging the AVT-4 processing unit. The vacuum and atmospheric rectification columns at the adjacent Lukoilpermnaftoorgsintez refinery were ablaze, disabling the unit.

Kyiv IndependentBloomberg

Since early 2024 Kyiv has escalated attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, targeting pipelines, refineries and sea terminals. The strategy aims to curtail Moscow’s wartime fuel supplies and reduce revenue from soaring oil prices linked to the Iran conflict.

Bloomberg

• April 29, 2026: Long-range drones from Ukraine’s Alpha unit hit the Perm station, setting most reservoirs on fire.

Kyiv Independent

• April 30, 2026: A second wave ignited additional tanks and damaged refinery units.

Kyiv Independent

• April 30-May 1, 2026: EU Copernicus satellite imagery confirmed at least two burning tanks.

Bloomberg

Ukraine’s SBU and its Alpha unit coordinated the drone operations. Transneft runs the pumping station; Lukoilpermnaftoorgsintez refinery processes the crude. The maritime strike targeted the Cameroon-flagged tanker *Marquise*, owned by Sea Cheetah Holding and managed by Dubai-based Lidoil DMCC.

Bloomberg

Each tank holds up to 50,000 m³ (? 314,000 bbl) of oil. The facility lies over 1,500 km from Ukrainian-held territory, deep in Russia near the Urals, making the strikes logistically complex.

Kyiv Independent

Disruption of the Perm hub could impede domestic oil distribution and limit fuel for Russian military units. Reduced throughput threatens a key source of state revenue, potentially affecting the Kremlin’s ability to fund the war.

Kyiv Independent

The SBU reported the AVT-4 unit, a primary processing node, was hit and its vacuum and atmospheric columns caught fire, halting operations. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed the *Marquise* was unladen, drifting 210 km southeast of Tuapse, ID signals disabled. Transneft declined comment, and Russian authorities have not provided independent verification.

Kyiv Independent

While Ukrainian sources describe extensive fires, independent confirmation of the full damage remains limited to satellite imagery showing burning tanks. Russian officials have offered no corroborating statements, leaving the precise impact uncertain.

Kyiv Independent

• “According to preliminary information, the AVT-4 unit at the refinery, a key node for primary oil processing, was hit,” — SBU, Ukraine

Kyiv Independent

• “As a result of the impact, the vacuum and atmospheric rectification columns caught fire. Their damage effectively puts the unit out of operation.” — SBU, Ukraine

Kyiv Independent

• “According to the SBU, the attack set most of the facility’s reservoirs on fire.” — SBU, Bloomberg

Bloomberg

• “At the time of the strike, the oil-product vessel, which is sanctioned by the UK and the EU, was drifting 210 kilometers southeast of Russia’s Tuapse and carried no cargo, according to the statement.” — General Staff, Ukraine

Bloomberg

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has indicated Ukraine will extend strike ranges beyond 1,500 km, suggesting further deep-inside Russian targets may face similar drone attacks in coming weeks.

Bloomberg