Drones attack Russia's Voronezh, Engels oil depot fire extinguished after five days
Photo: illustrative/Associated Press
On the night of January 13, explosions were heard near the city of Voronezh (Russia). Drones were spotted in the region, and air defenses were working. The Russians also claim that in the city of Engels (Saratov region) today, January 13, an open fire was extinguished at an oil depot that had been burning for five days. The facility was burning due to a drone strike on January 8.
The governor of the Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev, local Telegram channels, and the governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, reported that.
Explosions in the Voronezh region
The Voronezh region had been alert for a potential air attack since the previous evening.
At about half past one in the morning, Voronezh public forums began to write about a loud explosion. Later, a video with "the same loud bang" in the Voronezh region was published online.
In particular, it was said that it was pretty loud on the Left Bank.
Additionally, local forums in Voronezh reported hearing several more explosions that night.
According to Governor Gusev, air defense and electronic warfare have destroyed several UAVs in the suburbs of Voronezh.
The Russian official also claims that there were no casualties or damage.
Later, it was announced that the drone alert in the Voronezh region had been lifted.
It should be noted that this is not the first time that the Russian side has announced drone attacks on Voronezh and the region. In the area, explosions and fires also occur at various facilities against the backdrop of such air attacks.
For example, in early January, the Russian Federation announced a UAV strike on the Baltimore military airfield in Voronezh. The 47th Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 105th Mixed Aviation Division is stationed at this airfield, and its main type of aircraft is the Su-34.
Fire at an oil depot in Engels
In the city of Engels, on December 13, an open fire was extinguished at an oil depot that had been burning for five days. The facility was burning due to a drone strike on January 8.
Saratov Region Governor Roman Busargin traditionally avoided specifying in his statements regarding the fire incident in Engels that the local oil depot "Kristal plant" was burning. Instead, the official calls it an "industrial enterprise."
"At an industrial enterprise in Engels, an open fire was extinguished at night," he wrote on his Telegram.
The Saratov governor also expressed gratitude to "all employees of the Ministry of Emergencies, rescuers and other specialists who are on-site around the clock."
Instead, the Russian official added that "work continues" at the facility damaged by the drone strike.
For reference:
It's worth mentioning that in the Saratov region, on the night of January 8, unidentified drones targeted the city of Engels. Initial reports suggested they aimed at an oil storage facility and hit the Rosrezerv's Kristal plant.
Shortly after, it was confirmed that an oil storage facility in Engels was indeed struck. Preliminary information indicates that the facility belongs to the Kristal plant of the Rosrezerv, which stores aviation fuel for the Engels-2 airbase.
Later, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel published a photo confirming that this facility was the target of the attack. A powerful fire was recorded directly in the area where the fuel tanks are located.
New photos of the consequences of the drone attack appeared: the oil storage facility of the air base caught fire. Eyewitnesses noted that the oil storage facility continued to burn.
On the fifth day after the drone strike, the authorities of the Saratov region announced a "controlled burnout" of the fuel.
