A strike by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) on an oil depot in Labinsk, Krasnodar Krai, on March 16 reportedly resulted in the near-total destruction of its storage tank farm.
As reported by Astra outlet, citing sources in the region’s emergency services, a massive fire broke out at the facility after four drones struck, engulfing an area of about 3,000 square meters.
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As a result, 18 of the 20 storage tanks burned – including 9 gasoline and 9 diesel tanks - as well as 7 fuel tankers.
No injuries were reported, and the facility’s operations have been suspended, Astra said.
Notably, in its Tuesday report, the Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova+ claimed that most of the depot’s storage facilities were destroyed in the attack on Labinsk, with further details expected after satellite imagery is analyzed.
Vladimir Zaburayev, head of the Labinsk district, said on Tuesday that the fire was still burning but described the situation as “stable.”
Russia’s consumer safety watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, reported no excess concentrations of harmful substances in the air.
As of Wednesday, March 18, Ukraine has not officially confirmed the attack.
According to Russian media, the Labinsk oil depot belongs to Yugnefteprodukt and is one of the largest in the region. It has a storage capacity of 9,000 cubic meters and supplies fuel – including AI-80, AI-92, and AI-95 gasoline, diesel, and lubricants – to Krasnodar and Stavropol Krais, Rostov Oblast, and Adygea.
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