Russian oil depot set alight by Ukrainian drone attack
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A Ukrainian drone has caused a huge fire to break out at a Russian oil depot in the Bryansk border region, according to reports.
Footage published on social media shows thick black smoke pouring into the sky from the inferno, apparently caused when four oil tankers were set alight.
More than a dozen fire engines rushed to extinguish the fire in the town of Klintsy, where residents have been evacuated, on Friday morning.
Separate footage from Alexander Bogomaz, the regional governor, shows fire crews vainly attempting to contain the blaze.
Early reports indicated there were no casualties, although Baza – a Russian Telegram channel with links to the security services – said one person was injured.
Ukraine’s intelligence directorate took credit for the strike, saying the move would give troops breathing space amid pressure across the front line while hampering Russia’s supply chain.
A source told RBC-Ukraine: “When it comes to an oil depot that is involved in the supply of fuel and lubricants... this complicates logistics for the occupiers. This disrupts supply schedules, security schedules.
“Accordingly it provides additional opportunities, spare time and increases the room for manoeuvre for our defenders.”
Sources from Kyiv’s military intelligence service took credit for the strike, according to Ukrainian media.
Mr Bogomaz claimed that Russian air defences had shot down the drone, which nevertheless managed to attack the oil terminal before it crashed.
“An aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicle was suppressed by electronic warfare equipment of the Russian ministry of defence,” he said.
“When the air target was destroyed, ammunition was dropped onto the territory of the Klintsy oil depot.”
Accommodation centre set up
He said the emergency services were doing “everything possible” to extinguish the fire, adding: “For safety reasons, 32 residents of the private sector were temporarily evacuated to relatives. A temporary accommodation centre has been prepared.”
Two more Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down over the Pogarsky and Unechsky districts without causing casualties or damage.
Russian state media reported that the blaze extended across “one thousand square metres” and was caused by oil tanks catching fire.
It comes after a Ukrainian drone was shot down over a St Petersburg oil terminal on Thursday, apparently passing over Vladimir Putin’s country retreat in the process.
A Kremlin-appointed official in Ukraine said the strike was attempted by an aircraft carrying three kilograms of explosives.
It is not believed to have caused any injuries or damage, although traces of the explosion were found at the terminal.
Kyiv appears to be targeting enemy supply chains amid fears that the ground freezing over in the coming weeks will provide the conditions for an advance by Russian armoured vehicles.
