Fire Break Out at Russian Oil Refinery after Alleged Ukrainian Drone Attack (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A fire broke out at an oil refinery in southern Russia’s Rostov Region on Wednesday after it was allegedly hit by a Ukrainian kamikaze drone.
The blaze occurred at the Novoshakhtinsky oil refinery, affecting an area of around 50 square meters, and was quickly put out, the emergency services said. There were no injuries or fatalities, they added.
The fire may have been the result of a drone attack on the refinery’s technical installations, Rostov Region Governor Vasily Golubev said, accordong to RT.
“The debris from two UAVs has been discovered at the plant,” Golubev wrote on Telegram.
Operations at the refinery have been put on hold pending an investigation, he added.
Unconfirmed footage uploaded on social media captured a UAV approaching the oil facility and smashing into it at full speed. The impact led to a large explosion, with the blaze starting immediately.
The quality of footage is low, making it difficult to confirm the type of aircraft.
The refinery is located some 10km from the border with the People’s Republic of Lugansk.
Ukraine’s military has carried out numerous attacks within southern Russia, mainly in the Belgorod and Bryansk Regions, since Moscow launched what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine in late February.
The strikes, targeting infrastructure including oil facilities and also residential areas, have resulted in destruction, injuries, and several civilian deaths.