Conflicts & War

Russia says Ukrainian helicopters hit fuel depot in Belgorod

Moscow, Apr 1 (EFE).- Russia Friday alleged that the Ukrainian military bombed a fuel depot in the Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine.

The bombing by Ukrainian helicopters sparked a massive fire in the depot, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

“The fire at the oil depot occurred because of an airstrike from two Ukrainian Air Force helicopters that entered the Russian territory on a low altitude. There have been no casualties,” Gladkov said.

Russian Tass news agency, citing unnamed emergency service sources, said the flames quickly engulfed large fuel tanks at the oil depot, triggering fears that the fire might spread further.

The Emergencies Ministry said it pressed a 200-member firefighting contingent into service to control the blaze.

There are 27 tanks of various volumes at the depot, with eight caught in the flames as firefighters focused on cooling the unaffected so far.

“Eight fuel tanks are currently on fire. A foam attack is underway. A firefighting train has been engaged. Some 194 people and 59 units of equipment are operating at the site of the fire,” the ministry told Tass.

The city authorities have evacuated residents from the buildings adjacent to the oil depot, reported the news agency.

Oil firm, Rosneft, which owns the depot, said it had evacuated the staff at the oil depot.

“The staff was evacuated from the oil depot, there were no casualties. The company is cooperating with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and law enforcement agencies,” a Rosneft spokesperson told the Russian news agency. EFE

mos/ssk

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