Ukraine Drone Attack Ignites Fire at Oil Depot in Rostov
Incident Overview
On Wednesday, a drone attack reportedly launched by Ukraine resulted in a significant fire at an oil depot in the Kamensky district of Russia’s Rostov region. The blaze has been confirmed by local authorities, and although the flames have engulfed several tanks, no casualties have been reported.
Governor’s Statement
Vasily Golubev, the governor of Rostov, took to Telegram to update the public. He assured that firefighters are on the scene, working diligently to control and extinguish the fire. Golubev’s statement provided some reassurance, noting that there have been no reported injuries from the attack.
Media Reports and Observations
According to the Baza Telegram channel, which has connections to Russia’s security services, two drones struck the Kamensky oil depot, leading to three tanks catching fire. Videos circulating on Russian social media platforms show the dramatic images of these tanks ablaze at night. Reuters has confirmed the location of these videos as Rostov’s Kamensky district.
Previous Incidents
This incident follows a similar attack earlier this month on a fuel storage facility in the Kamensky district. The frequency of these attacks highlights the ongoing tension and conflict in the region.
Ongoing Fires in Proletarsk
The Kamensky district attack coincides with another ongoing fire at an oil depot in Rostov’s Proletarsk district. This fire has been burning for approximately ten days following a different Ukrainian strike. The persistence of these incidents underscores the broader impact of the conflict on regional infrastructure.
Voronezh Region Report
In a related development, Alexander Gusev, the governor of Voronezh, reported that debris from a Ukrainian drone caused a fire near explosive materials in his region. Thankfully, there was no detonation, and the fire was quickly extinguished. Residents who had been evacuated are now returning to their homes.
Russian Defense Ministry Update
The Russian defense ministry reported intercepting and destroying eight drones over the Voronezh region but did not provide specific details about the damage or the impact on the oil depot fires.
Ongoing Conflict
This series of attacks highlights the continuing volatility of the conflict, now in its 30th month. Both sides continue to accuse each other of targeting civilian areas, with Ukraine asserting that its strikes aim to disrupt critical energy, transport, and military infrastructure vital to Russia’s war effort.