A Ukrainian drone has hit an oil depot in the city of Engels, Saratov region, with the fire at the site continuing for the fifth day, News.bg reports.
According to local authorities, "controlled burning of fuel" is helping to contain the flames, although the incident resulted in casualties – two firefighters died trying to extinguish the fire in the first hours after the attack. The state of emergency imposed in the region remains in force.
Damage in Engels: What is affected?
According to the General Staff of Ukraine, the "Kombinat Kristal" base is a strategic facility used to store fuel that powers Russian strategic aviation carrying out strikes on Ukraine. Three tanks with a capacity of 120,000 cubic meters each were destroyed, causing huge damage and a permanent disruption to logistics in the region.
Massive drone attacks: Russian defense in action
The Russian Defense Ministry reported the downing of 55 drones in the past 24 hours, but did not specify specific regions. Despite the air defense actions, strategic losses in the oil sector are growing, after the same facilities were attacked last year in Crimea, Rostov Oblast and other key regions.
Repeated strikes in Tatarstan
Overnight, reports of a fire at the “Taneko“ refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, emerged. Local authorities denied there was an emergency, but personnel had to be evacuated. It was officially announced that the activities at the facility were under controlled operation, and a red security code was introduced in the region.
Implications for Russia and international markets
Ukrainian attacks on energy facilities increased in late 2024, with the targeting of fuel storage facilities and refineries aimed at directly affecting the supply of the Russian army. Tensions between Ukraine and its Western partners reached a peak earlier this year, as disruptions in the energy market could have a global impact, especially in countries such as the United States, where high fuel prices exert strong political pressure.
Conflict context and impact on the international scene
After a summer pause caused by criticism from Western partners, Ukrainian forces have resumed attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia. This strategic decision coincided with rising tensions in the run-up to the US elections, which took place on November 5.