Ukrainian Drone Strikes Fuel Warehouse in Russia’s Kursk Region, Governor Says

MOSCOW (Reuters) – The governor of Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, said on Wednesday that a fuel and lubricants warehouse was on fire after being struck by a Ukrainian drone.

In a video posted on Telegram, local governor Roman Starovoit said that no one had been injured, and that a fuel tank was on fire at the warehouse in Kursk region’s Zheleznogorsky district, around 90km (56 miles) from the Ukrainian frontier.

Starovoit said emergency services were working at the scene, and that he would provide details later.

Russian Telegram channels published video of a large fire and damage to a building at what they said was an ore refinery in the district, which is known for its iron mines. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the footage.

Ukrainian drone attacks have repeatedly hit Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure in recent weeks. Kursk region has come under regular attack from Ukraine since Russia ordered tens of thousands troops into the country in Feb. 2022.

Authorities in Russia’s Belgorod and Voronezh regions, which are also regular targets for attack close to the frontline in Ukraine, said that drones had been downed there, too.

The Baza Telegram channel, which is close to Russian law enforcement, reported that the drones downed over Voronezh had been trying to attack a military airbase and an oil depot.

(Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Jacqueline Wong/Guy Faulconbridge)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters.