According to local authorities, a fire broke out in an oil refinery in the south of Russia after a night-time drone attack in the city of Azov. “Oil tanks caught fire in Azov after a drone attack,” said the regional governor of the affected southern Russian region of Rostov, Vasily Golubev, on Tuesday in the online service Telegram.
According to preliminary information, there were “no casualties,” he added. It was initially unclear how many drones were involved in the attack.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, more than 200 firefighters and rescue workers were deployed to bring the flames under control. The fire spread over an area of at least 3,200 square meters. A video released by the Ministry of Emergency Situations showed thick smoke and flames apparently rising from several oil tanks in an unspecified location.
Rostov borders Ukraine, and the military headquarters for the Russian military operation in the neighboring country is located in the region. Ukraine did not initially comment on the incident.
Ukraine has been confronted with the Russian offensive for more than two years. It regularly responds with attacks on Russian regions, particularly targeting energy facilities.