Russian Oil Depot Burns After Ukrainian Drone Strike

Russian Oil Depot Engulfed in Flames After Ukrainian Drone Hit

Russia reported a massive fire at an oil depot in the Rostov region on March 18, 2025, following a Ukrainian drone attack. The blaze erupted around 2:00 AM PDT, with regional officials confirming the strike hit a key fuel facility in the Kamensky district. As of 7:00 PM PDT, emergency crews battle the inferno, marking another blow in Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s energy infrastructure. Posts on X show towering flames, underscoring the strike’s impact amid the ongoing war.

Drone Strike Ignites Rostov Depot

The Rostov oil depot, a vital supply hub, caught fire after Ukrainian drones breached Russian defenses overnight. Governor Vasily Golubev told state media the attack involved multiple UAVs, with debris sparking the blaze. Posts on X from locals captured the chaos, with one user noting “the sky’s orange for miles.” Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed it downed several drones, but damage was done—firefighters struggle to contain the spread as fuel tanks burn.

Ukraine’s Strategy Targets Russian Fuel

This strike aligns with Ukraine’s ramped-up drone offensive, hitting oil depots and refineries to choke Russia’s war machine. Since January, Kyiv has claimed attacks on over eight energy sites, including a Tuapse refinery fire last week. A Ukrainian military source on X boasted, “Step by step, we burn their logistics.” With Rostov’s depot ablaze, Russia faces fresh pressure on fuel reserves already strained by sanctions and export bans.

Emergency Response and Fallout

Over 200 firefighters rushed to the scene, per Russia’s Emergencies Ministry, but the fire’s scale—covering at least 2 hectares—complicates efforts. No casualties have been reported as of 7:30 PM PDT, though posts on X hint at evacuations nearby. The attack follows a pattern, with a Proletarsk depot fire in August burning for days. Russian officials vow a “harsh response,” while Ukraine stays mum on official confirmation.

War’s Toll on Both Sides Escalates

As Cuba blacks out and U.S. headlines swirl, this Rostov fire amplifies the conflict’s reach. Russia’s energy sector, a economic lifeline, reels from repeated hits—Reuters pegs 10% of refining capacity lost this year. Posts on X split between Russian anger and Ukrainian cheers, with one user noting, “Putin’s war chest is literally burning.” The drone war rages on, promising more sparks in this nearly three-year struggle.

 

 

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