Ukrainian drones ignite oil depot in latest attack

The burning oil depot in Proletarsk, ablaze since August 18, was attacked again by Ukrainians using drones.

According to statements made shortly after the initial attack on August 18, debris from a drone fell on one of the tanks, causing an explosion and fire. Despite a multi-day firefighting effort, the situation remains unresolved, and even more significant damages are possible.

On August 22 around 5:00 AM Eastern Time, another Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle attempted to attack the premises in Proletarsk. According to some media reports, there is a risk of the fire spreading to other oil tanks.

Proletarsk is located in the Rostov region, about 124 miles from the Ukrainian border. This distance is not an obstacle for Ukrainian drones. Various targets in Russia—primarily airports, military bases, and refineries—have been attacked for many months, including some situated even deeper inside the country.

Ukrainians have developed several long-range drone models. The most well-known are the Rubaka, which has a range of about 311 miles, and the Bóbr, which can travel up to 621 miles. The Bóbr drones are estimated to be around 11.5 feet long and can carry an explosive payload of up to 165 pounds, reaching speeds of up to 124 miles per hour.

The UJ-22 "Airborne" drones, which are less frequently used, have a range of 497 miles. They can carry up to 44 pounds and operate in extreme temperatures. Additionally, there have been reports of Ukrainians repurposing Soviet Tu-141 "Striż" drones into cruise missiles with a range of up to 932 miles.

Given the relatively short distance between Proletarsk and the Ukrainian border, sabotage activities using commercial drones equipped with explosives cannot be ruled out. These smaller drones are easier to smuggle across the border or purchase within Russia and arm. Such tactics have already been employed in previous attacks.