Drone Strike Ignites Major Fire at Russian Oil Facility

On Tuesday, Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a Russian oil facility that occurred overnight. This attack sparked a large fire, marking the latest long-range strike by Ukrainian forces on a border region.

Over recent months, Ukraine has been conducting strikes on Russian territory, targeting refineries and oil terminals in an attempt to hinder the Kremlin’s war effort. As the war enters its third year, the Russian army is facing intense pressure along the front line in eastern Ukraine, where a shortage of troops and ammunition has posed challenges.

The attack ignited an oil reservoir in Russia’s Rostov region, prompting the deployment of over 200 firefighters to the scene, according to Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry reported that the blaze encompassed an area of 5,000 square meters (55,000 square feet), but there were no casualties.

A Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to disclose information to the media, attributed the attack to a special operation conducted by Ukraine’s Security Service, known as SBU. The official stated that the drones targeted two Rostov oil depots containing 22 oil reservoirs.

Independent verification of this claim was not possible.

Kyiv officials typically avoid commenting on attacks on Russian territory, although they occasionally make oblique references to them.

Ukrainian drone developers have been making significant strides for months as Kyiv seeks to compensate for its battlefield disadvantages. The unmanned aerial vehicles provide a cost-effective option while Ukraine awaits the arrival of more Western military aid.