Ukrainian drone sets fire to oil depot in Rostov, Russia

Russia’s air defense forces destroyed four drones over the Rostov region overnight, the Defense Ministry and Rostov region governor Vasily Golubev said on the Telegram messaging app, but made no mention of attacks on oil deposits.

Baza, a Telegram channel close to Russian security services, said three tankers were burning after two drones landed at an oil depot in the Kamensky district of the Rostov region.

Videos posted on Russian social media showed large tanks on fire at night. Reuters confirmed the location of one of the videos was in the Kamensky district of Rostov.

Ukraine has yet to comment.

In early August, a fuel depot in the Kamensky region was also attacked.

According to the Russian Telegram channel, the attack took place about 10 days after the attack in Ukraine, while tanks were still burning at another oil depot in Rostov in the Proletarsk region.

Separately, Alexander Gusev, governor of the Voronezh region, which borders Ukraine, said debris from a drone launched by Ukraine over the region caused a fire “near the explosive.” Gusev added that there was no explosion.

Gusev said on Telegram that the fire had been put out and evacuated residents of two settlements were returning.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said eight attack drones were destroyed over the Voronezh region, but gave no further details.

Russian officials typically do not disclose the full toll from attacks in Ukraine.

Both sides deny Russia has targeted civilians in the 30-month war, which is a full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor. Kiev says the airstrikes are aimed at destroying energy, transportation and military infrastructure vital to Moscow’s overall war effort.

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 28, 2024