A massive explosion has erupted at a Russian oil depot in Crimea, which had been struck by Ukrainian missiles four days earlier.
Video footage captured flames soaring nearly 200ft high at the Marine Oil Terminal in Feodosia, located in the Russian-controlled region of Crimea. The oil refinery has been ablaze since Ukrainian forces targeted it on Tuesday, coinciding with President Vladimir Putin’s 72nd birthday.
Authorities initially believed they had contained the fire, but it reignited and intensified, with multiple explosions reported. There are growing concerns that the entire depot could be destroyed.
While the attack was first thought to have been carried out by a drone, it is now believed to have involved two ATACMS long-range missiles, supplied to Ukraine by the United States.
Sergei Aksyonov, the Putin-appointed governor of occupied Crimea, said emergency and security services were on the scene. "The terminal is surrounded by employees of the relevant services, and all the managers are also on-site," he stated, adding that he is personally monitoring the situation with regular updates.
The strike on Crimea’s largest oil terminal represents a significant setback for Russia, as the facility is crucial for supplying Putin’s military forces.
Source:
The Metro BusinessImage:
The Moscow Times
