UKRAINIAN DRONE STRIKES RUSSIAN FUEL DEPOT IN SMOLENSK, GOVERNOR REPORTS

The governor of Russia's Smolensk region revealed Saturday that a Ukrainian drone targeted a fuel depot overnight, igniting a fire, while a separate attack on the regional center was thwarted.

According to Governor Vasily Anokhin, the drone strike occurred in the Kardym region at 2 am, hitting a reservoir containing fuel and oil lubricants. Firefighters are currently working to extinguish the blaze, as reported on his Telegram messaging app.

While there are no major oil refineries in Smolensk, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian oil refineries this year, aiming to undermine Moscow's energy revenues and military funding.

"As a result of the work of the air defence forces, the aircraft were shot down. However, as a result of falling debris, a tank with fuel and oil lubricants caught fire," he said.

The governor also added that it was not clear if people were injured in the attack.

"Currently, an attempt to attack objects located on the territory of the regional centre has been repelled. Please remain calm and do not film the work of the air defence forces. Rescue and law enforcement services on are on the scene of events to ensure your safety," he wrote in a separate message.

Russia says the drone attacks amount to terrorism.

Ukraine does not officially confirm or deny it is attacking refineries inside Russia, but says the facilities are legitimate targets which aid the Russian military effort at a time when Russian strikes are pounding Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, including energy facilities.

With inputs from Reuters

2024-04-20T11:59:17Z dg43tfdfdgfd