Ukraine Drone Attacks Ignite Fires at Russian Oil Depots

A series of drone attacks by Ukraine set fire to oil depots in Russia's Rostov and Kirov regions. While no casualties were reported, the attacks caused significant fires and damage. Russian air defense units managed to shoot down several drones, mitigating further damage. Both sides deny targeting civilians.

A Ukraine drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in Russia's southern Rostov region, while drones also attempted to strike the Kirov region, authorities said on Wednesday.

"There are no casualties," Rostov governor Vasily Golubev reported via Telegram about the attack in the Kamensky district. "Firefighters are working to extinguish the fire." Russian air defense units destroyed four drones over the region overnight, the Russian defense ministry said, without commenting on the depot attack.

The Baza Telegram channel, associated with Russia's security services, stated that three tanks were burning at the Kamensky oil depot after two drones fell in the area. Videos on Russian social media showed large tanks ablaze at night, with one verified to be from Rostov's Kamensky district by Reuters.

Ukraine has not commented on the incident. A fuel storage depot in Kamensky was also attacked in early August.

Wednesday's attack occurred while tanks were still ablaze at another oil depot in Rostov's Proletarsk district, roughly 10 days after a separate Ukrainian attack. Concurrently, drones attacked an oil products depot on Wednesday in Kotelnich, Kirov region, Governor Alexander Sokolov said. No casualties or fires were reported at the depot, as drones were shot down or quickly extinguished upon falling.

In Voronezh, near the Ukraine border, Governor Alexander Gusev said debris from a Ukraine-launched drone caused a fire near explosive objects, leading to evacuations.

The Russian defense ministry reported that eight attack drones were destroyed over the Voronezh region, offering no further details.

Russian authorities often withhold information on the full extent of damage from Ukrainian attacks. Both nations deny targeting civilians in the ongoing 30-month conflict, with Kyiv asserting its air strikes aim to dismantle Russian energy, transport, and military infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies.)