A satellite image shows smoke and fire rising from an oil depot, amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, at Astakhov in the Kamensky district, Rostov Region, Russia, August 28, 2024. 2024 Planet Labs Inc./Handout via REUTERS
Ukraine Drone Attacks Target Oil Depots in Russia
Fires Erupt at Oil Depots in Rostov and Kirov Regions
On Wednesday, Ukrainian drone strikes ignited a fire at an oil depot in Russia’s southern Rostov region, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in the Kamensky district, where multiple drones targeted the area. Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev reported via Telegram that there were no casualties, and that firefighters were actively working to extinguish the blaze.
Russian Air Defenses and Official Statements
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its air defense units successfully destroyed four drones over the Rostov region overnight but did not directly confirm the attack on the oil depot. However, the Baza Telegram channel, which has connections to Russian security services, reported that three tanks were burning at the Kamensky oil depot after two drones hit the area. Videos circulated on Russian social media appeared to show large tanks engulfed in flames during the night, which Reuters later verified as footage from the Kamensky district.
Repeated Attacks in Rostov
This recent drone strike follows a similar attack in early August when a fuel storage depot in the Kamensky district was also targeted. Additionally, tanks were reported to be still burning at another oil depot in Rostov’s Proletarsk district, roughly 10 days after another Ukrainian attack.
Drone Attack in Kirov Region
In a separate incident on Wednesday, drones targeted an oil products depot in the town of Kotelnich in Russia’s Kirov region, approximately 1,500 km (930 miles) northeast of the Ukrainian border. Kirov Governor Alexander Sokolov confirmed that no casualties or significant fires resulted from this attack. He noted that while two drones were shot down, three others fell on the depot’s territory, caught fire, but were quickly extinguished before reaching the fuel stores.
Incident in Voronezh
In Voronezh, a region bordering Ukraine, Governor Alexander Gusev reported that debris from a Ukraine-launched drone caused a fire near explosive materials. Fortunately, there was no detonation, and the fire was successfully extinguished. Residents of two settlements, who had been evacuated as a precaution, were allowed to return to their homes. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the destruction of eight attack drones over the Voronezh region, though details were not provided.
Context of the Conflict
Russian officials frequently withhold comprehensive information regarding the damage caused by Ukrainian attacks. Both Russia and Ukraine have denied targeting civilians throughout the 30-month conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine asserts that its air strikes are aimed at disrupting energy, transport, and military infrastructure critical to Russia’s war efforts.
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