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.

Strait of Hormuz tensions are taking a new turn. Reports linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard have highlighted the strategic importance of undersea communication cables that pass through the region, raising questions about potential risks to global connectivity. The Strait of Hormuz is not just a key energy corridor but also a critical route for international data traffic, carrying a large share of global internet communications. Experts warn that any disruption to these undersea cables could impact financial systems, businesses, aviation networks, and everyday digital services across multiple regions.