Massive fireball rages in Crimea as ‘Ukraine drone strike’ hits major fuel depot in the heart of annexed naval port Sevastopol
- Four oil tanks hit by Ukrainian ‘drone strike’ at naval port in annexed Crimea
- Video shows huge fireball raging and Russia says fire will not be out until tonight
A huge ball of fire is raging in Crimea after a suspected Ukrainian aerial drone strike hit a major fuel depot in the heart of an annexed naval port Sevastopol today.
Footage showed a fireball with huge flames and a mushroom-like black cloud from a major fire triggered by two explosions in Cossack Bay, in the Crimean Peninsula.
The blasts came at 4:20am and 4:21am local time (2.20am and 2.21am UK time), and appear to be the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike at Russia’s naval firepower base in the annexed peninsula.
Four giant storage tanks erupted at the Sevastopol oil depot hit by a Ukrainian strike.
The Russian-appointed Sevastopol authorities rushed 18 firefighting teams to the inferno.
A huge ball of fire is raging in Crimea after a suspected Ukrainian aerial drone strike hit a major fuel depot in the heart of an annexed naval port 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 sky and an area of almost 11,000 square feet was ablaze, according to the occupying officials
The flames shot into the sky and an area of almost 11,000 square feet was ablaze, according to the occupying officials.
Russian officials have admitted the fire would not be be extinguished until tonight.
‘There were two explosions,’ a resident told Russian news website Readovka.
‘One muffled somewhere far away and the second directly from Cossack Bay.
‘Of course, after that the fire started immediately.
‘Everyone was asleep but the explosions woke them up.
‘The fire brigade arrived after about 15 minutes.’
Vladimir Putin was informed about the strike which represents a failure of his air defences.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Video and pictures show huge a huge blaze burning at the oil depot, and firefighters attempting to put down the flames.
Russian officials have admitted the fire (pictured) would not be be extinguished until tonight
The blasts came at 4:20am and 4:21am local time (2.20am and 2.21am UK time), and appear to be the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike at Russia’s naval firepower base in the annexed peninsula (smoke pictured rising over a fuel tank)
A resident told Russian national newspaper Izvestia: ‘The explosion was strong. I don’t know how our windows remained in place.’
Witnesses reported seeing drones flying from the direction of Cape Fiolent, south of the strike.
The major incident came as Russia is bracing itself for more attacks with Ukraine preparing for a counteroffensive against Putin’s aggression.
In recent weeks sea drones have penetrated Sevastopol but have been thwarted by Russian defences.
Ukraine has repeatedly declared its intention to retake the Crimean peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 to international outcry.
Vladimir Putin’s governor of the city Mikhail Razvozhaev rushed to the scene.
‘I am working at the scene of an emergency – I am heading the operational headquarters,’ he said.
Vladimir Putin’s governor of the city Mikhail Razvozhaev (pictured) rushed to the scene and said: ‘I am working at the scene of an emergency – I am heading the operational headquarters’
Massive flames and smoke pictured rising above buildings in Sevastopol after the alleged drone strikes
The Russian-appointed Sevastopol authorities rushed 18 firefighting teams to the inferno. Pictured: Russian firefighters on the scene after the drone strikes on fuel tanks
‘The situation is under the control of our firefighters and all operational services,’ he claimed.
‘There are 18 fire brigades at the site, 60 firefighters are valiantly fighting the fire.
‘The arrival of a fire train is expected.’
The blaze – which continued hours after the drone strike – was ranked as the most difficult category to extinguish.
‘Since the volume of fuel is large, it will take time to localise the fire,’ said the governor.
‘Nothing threatens civilian objects.’
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