This article was originally published in English
Russian independent media outlet Astra released video of what it said was an explosion at the site, showing a gigantic orange blaze lighting up the night sky.
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Ukrainian drones hit a major Russian fuel depot for the second time in just over a week, according to a senior Russian regional official, in a “massive” cross-border attack on fuel and energy which, according to Kyiv, supplies the Moscow army.
A fire broke out at the Stalnoy Kon oil terminal in southern Russia's Oryol region, local governor Andrey Klychkov said in a Telegram message, adding that Russian forces shot down 20 drones targeting “fuel and energy infrastructure” in the province.
Russian independent media outlet Astra released video of what it said was an explosion at the site, showing a gigantic orange blaze lighting up the night sky.
This video could not be independently verified, but it was later shared by a Ukrainian security official, who described it as footage from Oryol.
The official, Andriy Kovalenko of the National Security and Defense Council, said the Orel fuel depot supplied Russian forces fighting in Ukraine and southern Russia, particularly in the Kursk region where Ukrainian troops retreated following a lightning incursion in August.
According to Mr. Klychkov, the fire was extinguished a few hours later and did not cause any casualties or “significant” damage.
The Ukrainian army had already claimed to have struck the Stalnoï Kon terminal with drones on December 14, causing a “powerful” fire.
These strikes occur just days after Russia launched widespread attacks against Ukraine's already strained energy grid, threatening to plunge thousands of homes into darkness as winter tightens its grip on the region and Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its three-year mark .
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday promised retaliation after Ukrainian drones struck residential buildings in the city of Kazan on Saturday.
Speaking to Tatarstan's regional governor, Rustam Minnikhanov, Putin said anyone attacking Russia should expect Moscow to inflict “much greater damage” in return, but gave no more than details.
On Saturday, Mr Minnikhanov's press service said eight drones had attacked Kazan. Local authorities said there were no casualties.
Additional sources • adaptation: Serge Duchêne
