Ukrainian drones ignite major fire at Russian oil depot
During the night, Ukraine attacked an oil depot with drones in the town of Yartsevo, Russia. "Ukrainian unmanned aircraft attacked the facilities of the fuel and energy complex. As a result of the enemy attack, fires occurred," wrote the head of the Smolensk region.
"Ukrainian unmanned aircraft attacked the facilities of the fuel and energy complex. As a result of the enemy attack, fires occurred. At the moment, EMERCOM units are working at the scene, extinguishing open flames. Special services and relevant authorities are investigating the situation," wrote Roman Zakharov, the head of the Smolensk region.
The Russian Ministry of Defense also confirmed the attack. "The attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles was suppressed today in Yartsevo by air defense forces," reads the statement.
According to preliminary information provided by Russian services, the wreckage of one of the drones fell on the grounds of the oil depot. As a result, a fuel leak occurred, and substances began to ignite. Services are operating on-site. Authorities report that there is no threat to people or residential buildings.
The oil depot went up in flames
Recordings from the scene quickly appeared on Ukrainian Telegram channels.
The attached recordings show plumes of smoke rising above the base along with flames spreading over larger areas.
Air defense was active at the scene. The recordings show Ukrainian drones being shot down.
The head of the Smolensk region appealed to the residents of Yartsevo not to share photos from the attack site. "Security authorities warn that sharing photos and videos of the launch sites of unmanned aerial vehicles allows for calculating their locations. This way, the enemy can obtain all the necessary information about the positions of the Russian air defense system and adjust the route of the next strike to bypass it," wrote Zakharov.
