NewsUnmanned drone crashes into Petersburg oil refinery: disaster averted, say Russian authorities

Unmanned drone crashes into Petersburg oil refinery: disaster averted, say Russian authorities

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JANUARY 29: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko (L) smile during the plenary session of the Supreme Council of Russia and Belarus, at the Konstantin Palace on January 29, 2024, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Belarussian President Lulashenko is having a three-days visit to Saint Petersburg. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)

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8:44 AM EST, January 31, 2024, updated: 4:36 AM EST, March 7, 2024

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Many reports circulated by Russian media or government representatives can be in the form of propaganda. These reports form part of an information war led by the Russian Federation.

The incident happened Wednesday around 8:20 PM Eastern Time. As per the Fontanka news service, the drone, which was flying over the city, was taken down by the S-400, Russia's ground-to-air missile system.

Local media describe how the unmanned craft, after being hit, continued to fly for about another half-hour. It ultimately crashed into the territory of the Newsky Mazut refinery causing an explosion and subsequent fire that was extinguished by firefighters.

Russian authorities on averting a "disaster"

Petersburg's Governor, Alexander Beglov, announced via Telegram that there were no injuries. "The damage was not significant," wrote Beglov.

RBC-Ukraine's news service cited an anonymous source from the Ukrainian armed forces. The report claimed that the attack on Petersburg was orchestrated by the Ukrainian Military Intelligence (GUR).

"Russian air defense systems successfully averted a major catastrophe," stated Mikhail Skigin, co-owner of the Newsky Mazut oil terminal.

Source: themoscowtimes.com