Ukrainian drone attack ignites Russian oil depot in Yartsevo
Overnight, Ukraine launched a drone attack on an oil depot in the town of Yartsevo, Russia. "Ukrainian unmanned aircraft targeted the facilities of the fuel and energy complex. As a result of the enemy attack, fires broke out," stated the head of the Smolensk region.
"Ukrainian unmanned aircraft targeted the facilities of the fuel and energy complex. As a result of the enemy attack, fires broke out. Currently, emergency units are on the scene, working to extinguish the fires. Special services and relevant authorities are investigating the situation," wrote Roman Zakharov, the head of the Smolensk region.
The Russian Ministry of Defence also confirmed the incident. "The attack by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles was intercepted today in Yartsevo by air defence forces," the statement reads.
According to preliminary information provided by Russian authorities, the wreckage of one of the drones fell on the oil depot's grounds. Consequently, 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 site quickly appeared on Ukrainian Telegram channels.
The attached recordings show plumes of smoke rising above the facility, with flames spreading across more areas.
Air defence was active at the scene. The recordings show Ukrainian drones being shot down.
The head of the Smolensk region urged Yartsevo residents 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 pinpointing their locations. This way, the enemy can gather all necessary information about the positions of the Russian air defence system and adjust the route of the next strike to bypass it," wrote Zakharov.
