Ukraine and Russia Tensions Escalate as Massive Fire Erupts at Oil Depot in Crimea

On Saturday, a massive fire erupted at an oil depot in Sevastopol, Crimea after it was hit by two of Ukraine’s drones, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of the port city. The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on the annexed peninsula as Russia braces for an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Razvozhayev said the fire at the city’s harbor was assigned the highest ranking in terms of how complicated it will be to extinguish. He posted videos and photos of the blaze on his Telegram channel, and said that the oil depot was attacked by “two enemy drones,” and four oil tanks burned down.

The incident comes amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with the Ukrainian government accusing Russia of sending military forces into the country’s east and south. Ukraine has also accused Russia of supporting separatist forces in the region.

The fire at the oil depot is the latest in a series of attacks on Crimea, which has been annexed by Russia since 2014. In recent weeks, there have been reports of shelling and other attacks on the peninsula, as well as reports of Russian military buildup in the region.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and it is not yet known who was responsible for the attack. It is also unclear what the impact of the fire will be on the region. However, it is clear that tensions between Ukraine and Russia are continuing to escalate, and the situation in Crimea is becoming increasingly volatile.