Spectacular images have emerged from Russia of what appears to be a drone crashing into an oil refinery and causing an explosion of fire in what could be an attack within Russia’s borders.
The video shared on social media showed the unmanned aerial vehicle crashing into the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov in what would be a shameful penetration of Russia’s air defense systems in its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukraine has used drones during the war, but has not claimed responsibility for the alleged attack.
Sign up for First Edition, our free daily newsletter, every weekday morning at 7:00 BST
Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russia’s Rostov region, appeared to confirm the incident, writing that two drone fragments had been found in the territory of the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery, where a large explosion occurred on Wednesday morning. fires.
The video posted on Russian social media showed a drone approaching the oil refinery while workers watched.
“Do you think he’s Ukrainian?” asked one.
“Of course not,” replied another.
“Where did he go?” he added, as the drone disappeared from view.
Moments later, a large explosion shook the refinery.
“Shit!” shouted the spectators. When a fire broke out at the refinery, the unidentified camera said in a resigned tone, “That’s what’s going on, guys.”
Images broadcast on Russian state television showed firefighters fighting the flames at the oil refinery, which stopped production on Wednesday. Authorities said the fire had been curtailed.
Several bridges and other key infrastructure in Russia’s border regions have been damaged since the Kremlin launched its new offensive against Ukraine in February. In most cases, Russia has not admitted that it has been the victim of sabotage or cross-border attacks that have penetrated its defenses.
If the refinery attack is confirmed, it would indicate that the drone was launched from Russia or that it had passed over Russian-controlled territory to reach the refinery, passing through Russian air defense systems along the way.
No one was injured in the incident at the oil refinery, the Rostov governor said.
However, in another incident on Wednesday, four people were killed in an explosion at an ammunition depot in Russia’s Vladimir region after an article “spontaneously detonated during a loading and unloading operation,” a security service said. Russian military press. Three of the victims were soldiers, while another was a civilian specialist.