Fireball rages in Crimea as ‘Ukraine drone strike’ hits major fuel depot in Sevastopol naval port
A massive fireball is raging in Crimea after a suspected Ukrainian drone strike hit a large fuel depot in the heart of the annexed naval port of Sevastopol today.
Images showed a fireball with huge flames and a mushroom-like black cloud from a large fire caused by two explosions in Cossack Bay, on the Crimean peninsula.
The blasts occurred at 4:20 am and 4:21 am local time (2:20 am and 2:21 am UK time) and appear to be Ukraine’s latest attempt to attack the Russian firepower base on the annexed peninsula.
Four giant storage tanks have exploded in the Sevastopol oil depot hit by a Ukrainian attack.
The Russian-appointed Sevastopol authorities rushed to the inferno with 18 firefighting teams.
A massive fireball is raging in Crimea after a suspected Ukrainian drone strike hit a large fuel depot in the heart of an annexed naval port of Sevastopol today (firefighter pictured at the scene)
Smoke and flames rise from a burning fuel tank in Sevastopol, Crimea after the suspected Ukrainian drone strike at 4.20am (2.20am UK time) this morning
The flames shot into the air and an area of almost 11,000 square meters was on fire, according to the occupier.
The flames shot into the air and an area of almost 11,000 square meters was on fire, according to the occupier.
Russian officials have admitted that the fire would not be extinguished until tonight.
“There were two explosions,” a resident told Russian news website Readovka.
“One muffled somewhere far away and the second straight from Cossack Bay.
‘The fire started immediately after that, of course.
“Everyone was asleep, but the explosions woke them up.
“The fire brigade arrived after about 15 minutes.”
Vladimir Putin was informed of the attack which represents a failure of his air defense.
There were no direct reports of casualties.
Videos and photos show a massive fire at the oil depot and firefighters trying to put out the flames.
Russian officials have admitted that the fire (pictured) would not be extinguished until tonight
The blasts occurred at 04:20 and 04:21 local time (02:20 and 02:21 UK time) and appear to be Ukraine’s latest attempt to attack the Russian firepower base on the annexed peninsula (photo of smoke rising over a fuel tank ). tank)
One resident told the Russian national newspaper Izvestia: “The explosion was strong. I don’t know how our windows stayed in place.’
Witnesses reported seeing drones flying from the direction of Cape Fiolent, south of the attack.
The big incident came as Russia braced for more attacks as Ukraine prepared to launch a counter-offensive against Putin’s aggression.
In recent weeks, naval drones have entered Sevastopol, but have been thwarted by Russian defenses.
Ukraine has repeatedly declared its intention to retake the Crimean peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, amid international outcry.
Vladimir Putin’s governor of the city Mikhail Razvozhaev rushed to the scene.
“I work on the scene of an emergency – I head the operational headquarters,” he said.
Vladimir Putin’s governor of the city Mikhail Razvozhaev (pictured) rushed to the crime scene and said: ‘I work at the scene of an emergency – I head the operational headquarters’
Massive flames and smoke rising over buildings in Sevastopol after the alleged drone attack
The Russian-appointed Sevastopol authorities rushed to the inferno with 18 firefighting teams. Pictured: Russian firefighters on scene after the drone hit fuel tanks
“The situation is under the control of our firefighters and all operational services,” he claimed.
“There are 18 fire brigades on the scene, 60 firefighters bravely extinguish the fire.
“A fire train is expected.”
The fire – which continued for hours after the drone strike – was ranked as the most difficult category to extinguish.
“Since the amount of fuel is large, it will take time to locate the fire,” the governor said.
“Nothing threatens civilian objects.”