A Ukrainian drone strike has triggered a massive fire at a major oil refinery in Tuapse, Russia, marking the third attack on the facility in recent weeks. Local authorities reported a large-scale blaze, prompting evacuations of nearby residents and emergency responses as thick smoke filled the sky. Ukraine has confirmed targeting the refinery, describing it as part of efforts to disrupt Russia’s oil supply chain and reduce its war-funding capacity. The facility had already faced operational disruptions from earlier attacks, including damage to port infrastructure and oil spills in the Black Sea region.

For the first time since escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has successfully navigated through heavily contested waters, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of ongoing naval blockades and the future of global energy supply routes. Tracking data indicates that the UAE-linked LNG vessel Mubarez completed a high-risk passage after loading cargo from Das Island, a critical export hub operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Adding to the tension, a Russian-linked superyacht - Nord, reportedly tied to sanctioned billionaire Alexey Mordashov, a known ally of Vladimir Putin, also completed a rare transit through Hormuz. The 142-meter vessel’s journey from Dubai to Muscat highlights how even private maritime traffic is testing the limits of enforcement in the region. WATCH