A drone attack caused a fire at an oil tank in the city of Penza in western Russia in the early hours of Friday, with no injuries reported according to the regional governor.
Videos circulating on social media showed a column of fire rising from an oil depot site in the eastern suburbs of Penza, approximately 618 kilometers from the front line.
Officials did not provide details on the source of the drones, but the Russian Defense Ministry stated that its air defenses intercepted at least 12 Ukrainian drones overnight, including one over the Penza region.
‘A Just Response’ to Russian Strikes
There was no immediate comment from Kyiv, which has focused its attacks on Russian energy sites in an effort to target Moscow’s resources and prevent their use in the war against Ukraine.
The governor said on a messaging app, “Around 4:00 a.m., a drone attack caused a fire at an oil tank in Penza. According to preliminary data, there were no injuries or casualties.”
Relatively inexpensive Ukrainian drones have inflicted billions of dollars in damage on Russian oil and gas facilities.
Kyiv says these attacks are “a just response” to Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy grid.
Russian strikes in recent weeks have left thousands of people without heating and electricity amid sub-zero temperatures.
Penza
Penza is a city in western Russia founded in 1663 as a fortress on the southeastern frontier of the Russian Tsardom. It later became a significant administrative and cultural center, known for its 19th-century merchant architecture and as the home of several notable literary figures.
Russia
Russia is the world’s largest country by area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Its history is marked by the rise and fall of the Tsarist Empire, the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution establishing the Soviet Union, and its re-emergence as the Russian Federation in 1991. It is renowned for its vast landscapes, rich literary and artistic traditions, and iconic sites like the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow.
oil tank
An oil tank is a large storage container, typically made of steel, used to hold crude oil or petroleum products. Historically, such tanks became essential with the rise of the petroleum industry in the late 19th century, enabling the mass storage and transportation of oil. They are a common feature at refineries, distribution terminals, and strategic reserves worldwide.
oil depot
An oil depot is an industrial facility used for the storage and distribution of petroleum products. Historically, these depots became critical infrastructure with the rise of the petroleum industry in the late 19th and 20th centuries, often located near refineries, ports, or major transportation routes. They serve as key logistical hubs in the energy supply chain.
Kyiv
Kyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, situated on the Dnieper River. Historically, it is considered one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, founded in the 5th century and serving as the center of the medieval state of Kyivan Rus’. It remains a major cultural, political, and economic hub, known for landmarks like the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and Saint Sophia Cathedral.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with a recorded history dating back over 800 years to its first mention in 1147. It grew from a medieval fortress, the Kremlin, to become the political and cultural heart of the Russian state, serving as the capital of the Tsardom of Russia, the Soviet Union, and the modern Russian Federation. The city is renowned for its iconic landmarks like Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the Moscow Metro, reflecting its long and complex historical evolution.
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe with a rich history dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus. It has experienced periods of independence as well as rule by various empires, before regaining its sovereignty with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country is known for its diverse cultural heritage, Orthodox Christian cathedrals, and the Chernobyl historical site.
