Ukrainian drone strike ignites massive fire at Russian oil depot
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that overnight from Friday to Saturday, Ukrainian forces launched an attack on one of Russia's largest oil storage facilities, located in the Oryol region. The operation utilised drones, as earlier reported by Ukrainian media.
"As a result of this operation, a 'massive fire' broke out at the site," the General Staff announced in a communication on Facebook. "Units of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with other army components, damaged (...) an oil storage facility in the Oryol region in western Russia," they added.
"The site of the strike is part of the Russian military-industrial complex and provides petroleum product supplies to the army," noted the staff. Ukrainian forces emphasised that the targeted facility is one of the largest oil storage facilities in Russia.
The governor of the Oryol region, Andrey Klychkov, reported on Telegram that 11 drones were shot down over the region. He added that there is no information about casualties.
Ukrainian media previously reported the use of drones in this operation. This attack is another strike on Russia's logistical infrastructure. Social media was flooded with footage of the fire at the facility.
In efforts to disrupt fuel supplies to the Russian army, Ukrainian troops are focusing on strategic facilities. Damaging the oil storage facility in the Oryol region could affect the operational capabilities of the Russian armed forces.
