Ukraine: Local authorities have reported that an oil depot in Russian-occupied Crimea has suffered a significant fire as a result of a drone strike. Videos on social media showed flames emerging from the Sevastopol oil depot, the primary city in Crimea, in the early hours.
According to the governor appointed by Moscow for the region, the fire was eventually extinguished, and there were no casualties reported. Russia carried out a series of air strikes in various cities in Ukraine on 28th April 2023, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 individuals. The attack was the first of its kind in several months.
Moscow’s Black Sea Fleet has its main naval base located in the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Governor Mr. Mikhail Razvozhayev stated on Telegram that the fire was most likely caused by a drone strike, according to initial findings.
The incident occurred just five days after Russian officials claimed to have repelled a drone attack launched by the Ukrainian military in the same location. Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Crimea has been subjected to multiple attacks.
During the air strikes conducted by Russia, a residential building was hit and destroyed in the central Ukrainian city of Uman, resulting in the death of 23 people, including four children. In addition, a mother and her three-year-old child lost their lives in the city of Dnipro during the attack by Russia.
The capital, Kyiv, was also attacked for the first time in 51 days, but there were no reports of casualties. Officials said Ukraine’s air defence system intercepted 21 out of 23 missiles and two drones. Ukraine has announced its readiness to launch a military attack with new equipment provided by Western allies, as Russian forces continue to struggle in their winter offensive. This comes after a 10-month battle for control of the strategically significant city of Bakhmut.