Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Kremlin Claims Helicopter Strike By Ukraine On Oil Depot Inside Russia
It is the first accusation of a Ukrainian airstrike on Russian soil since Moscow carried out its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
New Delhi: Russia Friday accused Ukrainian forces of attacking fuel storage depot in Belgorod. According to news agency Reuters, Ukrainian helicopters flew about 22 miles undetected inside the Russian territory and carried out the attack on the oil depot.
Video images of the alleged attack posted on social media looked like several missiles being fired at the site, causing fire and smoke. Firefighters can also be seen trying to tackle the blaze in the video.
"The helicopters struck the facility in Belgorod, some 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the border with Ukraine, after entering Russia at low altitude," said regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, as reported by Reuters.
It is the first accusation of a Ukrainian airstrike on Russian soil since Moscow carried out its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Two workers are said to have died in the fire caused by the attack. However, Russian oil firm Rosneft, which owns the fuel depot, did not confirm the casualty or the attack, reported Reuters.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov has assured that the incident will not impact the supply of fuel or prices in the region.
There is no official comment from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry or the foreign ministry on the alleged attack, said Reuters.
Earlier this week, reports had emerged of Ukraine attacking Belgorod, after a loud explosion was heard in the city which has a population of 369,000.
Later it was clarified that the explosion at a weapons storage depot near Belgorod was due to human error, and not a Ukrainian airstrike.