Is Ukraine going on the offensive?
Ukrainian helicopters have attacked an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, according to claims from within the Kremlin.
As per a Telegram post by Russian governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, a fire broke out at a facility on Friday – just two days after the region was reportedly rocked by explosions at an arms depot.
‼️ Two people were injured in the fire, said governor Gladkov.
The reason for the fire has not yet been named.
UDP: Residents of three nearby streets are getting evacuated.
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 1, 2022
Writing around 5:30am local time, Gladkov wrote: “There was a fire at the oil depot in the city of Belgorod. All emergency services were on the scene. Measures are being taken to eliminate it. Details about the causes and victims, if any, will be reported a little later.
Ukraine is yet to confirm the attack and analysts have cautioned to be aware of a ‘false flag’ attack, but footage of the blaze is already circulating on VK, around social media and other news outlets.
In Russia's Belgorod, a fire broke out at an oil depot, two workers were injured – region's authorities.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov states that the fire broke out due to an air strike from two Ukrainian helicopters. https://t.co/d3pv2Pyqic pic.twitter.com/TjeYm9rEd5
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) April 1, 2022
Two people are thought to have been hurt in the fire according to the oblast’s governor and three surrounding streets are said to have been evacuated. However, as per Reuters, Russian oil firm Rosneft – which owns the fuel depot – said in a separate statement that no injuries have occurred and could not clarify the cause of the fire.
Ukraine is yet to confirm or claim any responsibility for the incident and while the Kremlin is claiming helicopter attacks for this latest blaze, authorities are still yet to confirm this or the previous blast on Wednesday.
Russian social media published several CCTV videos allegedly showing an air strike on the Belgorod oil depot, here is one of them: pic.twitter.com/twnEpZUec8
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) April 1, 2022
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