Crimean oil terminal ablaze: Ukrainian drone strikes impact residents
A fire has been raging for five days at the largest oil terminal in Crimea, which has been under Russian control since 2014. The attack, attributed to Ukrainian forces, caused significant damage. Authorities installed by Moscow reassure that there is no public health threat, even though local residents report health issues.
12:06 PM EDT, October 11, 2024
The fire started at the beginning of the week following a drone attack. On Thursday, according to reports from the "Krymskij Wietier" channel on Telegram, another fuel tank exploded.
Assurances from authorities and residents' complaints
Despite the authorities' claims that there are no elevated levels of harmful substances in the air, residents of the surrounding areas complain of nausea, dizziness, and coughing. The independent Russian service "Moscow Times" reported this information.
In response to the situation, more than a thousand residents were evacuated, and local authorities declared a state of emergency.
Attack on the Feodosia terminal
On Monday morning, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced an attack on the terminal in Feodosia, the largest oil terminal in Crimea in terms of oil product handling. This terminal is strategically used by the Russian military. A similar attack occurred in March.
The Ukrainians did not specify what exactly they used to strike the Russian terminal; however, it is worth noting that Kyiv has long possessed drones capable of striking strategic targets of the Russian Federation located hundreds of miles away. Among the models used are the Tu-141 "Strizh," Tu-143 "Reys," UJ-22 "Airborne," "Bóbr," and "Rubaka."
Ukrainian drones, such as the Tu-141 "Strizh," are capable of carrying significant explosive payloads over long distances. The Tu-141 reaches speeds of up to 620 mph and has a range of up to 620 miles. The Tu-143 "Reys" is a smaller, tactical drone designed for reconnaissance missions, with a speed of 590 mph and a range of 112 miles.
The UJ-22 "Airborne" is a modern unmanned aerial system developed by Ukraine, notable for its precision and capability to carry a variety of armaments. It has a controlled flight range of up to 62 miles and an autonomous range of up to 500 miles. "Bóbr" is equipped with advanced stealth technologies that make it difficult to detect. "Rubaka" is a versatile drone with extensive combat and logistical applications.
