Aerial photographs reveal extensive damage at a sizable Russian oil facility.
In the heart of Russia, an oil depot situated in Proletarsk, Rostov region, became the target of intense attacks by Ukraine. This oil depot, known for its vast storage capacity, was eastern to the city and was engulfed in flames for over two weeks. Footage of the intense blaze spread worldwide, leaving civilizations in awe of the destruction. Satellite imagery now reveals the extensive damage caused by at least two drone assaults.
Emblems from the EU's Copernicus mapping service indicate that around seventy-four tanks have been decimated or at least partially affected by the flames. The first assault on the oil depot by Ukrainian drones took place on August 18th, and according to satellite data, the fire was reportedly put out by early September. Radio Liberty published a comparison before and after the incident.
This oil depot, about 500 kilometers from the frontline in Donbass, is one of the larger ones. Although the exact number of destroyed tanks is unknown, it is speculated to be in the dozens. Reports from Kyiv suggest that the depot also stored oil used by the Russian military.
Damaging Russia's energy infrastructure has been Ukraine's declared purpose. The primary intention is to disrupt the supply to the Russian army and weaken the nation's economic capabilities. Russia earns significant revenues from oil and gas exports and continues to find international buyers, including European nations like Hungary and Slovakia.
Additional strikes close to Moscow and Omsk refinery
Military analysts like Colonel Reisner, in a late July interview with ntv.de, suggested that Ukrainian drone attacks had resulted in a 5% reduction in oil production. Since then, there have been further hits, including in the vicinity of Moscow. Additionally, a fire erupted in one of Russia's largest oil refineries in Omsk.
The Kremlin has since ceased publishing information on oil product production. Cryptically, the Russian Ministry of Energy told the newspaper "Kommersant" that data on fuel production is used to manipulate market forces and artificially instigate excitement.
The oil depot in question, being a crucial raw material source for oil, was not only attacked but also witnessed devastating fires caused by drone assaults. Moreover, the attack on the raw material tank farm, located east of the city and home to numerous oil storage tanks, is believed to have resulted in the destruction of numerous tanks, likely contributing to decreased oil production in Russia.
