Ukrainian forces target Russian oil depot in occupied Luhansk
A Russian oil depot was targeted by Ukrainian forces overnight in another attack on the country’s energy infrastructure.
The oil depot is located in the occupied Luhank Oblast and was containing oil and petroleum products used by the Russian military near the town of Rovenky.
A fire is still raging following the fresh explosion and there is a tower of flames.
The oil depot in Rovenky holds strategic importance due to its location, as it serves as a key hub for supplying Russian military operations in eastern Ukraine. The latest attack marks the fifth recorded strike on the facility since 2022.
The general staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated on Facebook: “Last night, a strike was conducted on a fuel and lubricants storage facility near the town of Rovenky on the temporarily occupied territory in Luhansk region.
“This base stored oil and petroleum products, which were supplied, among other uses, for the needs of the Russian army.”
A Russian Telegram channel reported that 10 Ukrainian Armed Forces drones attacked an oil depot in Rovenky, with Russia intercepting eight of them. However, two drones made it through, causing a fuel tank to catch fire.
The channel also claimed that Ukrainian forces made subsequent attempts to shell the facility while firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze.
The town of Rovenky has been under Russian occupation since 2014, and is more than 110 km from Ukraine’s current front lines.
Since 2014, Russia has been actively using the oil depot located next to the railway to store petroleum, oil, and lubricants for its troops deployed and stationed in occupied Luhansk Oblast.
A large fire also broke out at a major oil terminal in Russian-occupied Crimea has been extinguished four days after a Ukrainian drone strike, according to Russian officials – as dramatic footage emerged showing massive flames and smoke billowing high into the sky.
A fire erupted at the site, and continued to burn for days with reports of an explosion on Thursday night. The Russian-installed governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, reported a “release of combustible materials” at the terminal.
The flames had spread to 2,500 square metres, according to Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta. Moscow officials said there were no casualties.
The Russian-installed mayor of Feodosia, Igor Tkachenko, announced on Friday that the fire had been put out, and recovery work was ongoing.