Russia and Ukraine traded accusations on Wednesday over overnight airstrikes as the war continued ahead of New Year’s Eve. Authorities in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region said a Ukrainian drone attack hit the port town of Tuapse, damaging an oil refinery and injuring two people. The regional operational headquarters said the injured were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while windows in four apartment buildings and one private home were damaged. Officials also reported damage to a port berth and a fire at the refinery covering about 300 square meters, which was later extinguished.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 86 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 56 over the Black Sea. Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of targeting energy and transport infrastructure, particularly in regions close to the Black Sea.
Separately, Ukraine reported damage and casualties from what it described as Russian airstrikes. The State Emergency Service said at least six people, including three children, were injured in the Odesa region after strikes hit infrastructure and a residential building, with firefighters rescuing eight people. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko said two people were injured in Vasylkivka during a drone attack that damaged local infrastructure, including a power line. Ukraine’s Air Force claimed it shot down 101 of 127 drones launched by Russia overnight. Independent verification of claims by either side remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.
