Foto:Telegram
A massive fire continues to rage at an oil depot near the town of Proletarsk in Russia’s Rostov Region, more than a week after a Ukrainian drone strike ignited the blaze on August 18. Despite efforts to control the situation, the fire shows no signs of abating, and no official updates have been provided on the status of the firefighting operations.
Timeline of the Incident
On Sunday, August 18, residents of Proletarsk, located about 165 km southeast of Rostov-on-Don, awoke to news of a significant fire at the nearby oil depot. The blaze reportedly began in the early hours of the morning, triggered by debris from drones that were shot down by Russian air defense systems. According to Vasily Golubev, the governor of the Rostov Region, fragments from the drones struck a fuel storage tank containing diesel, setting off the inferno.
The oil depot is a key infrastructure site in the region, housing 74 storage tanks, each with a capacity of 5,000 cubic meters. With such vast quantities of fuel stored on-site, the scale of the fire has raised alarm among authorities and specialists alike.
Why Is the Fire Still Burning?
The prolonged duration of the fire, now in its eighth day, has led to growing questions about the effectiveness of the response efforts. Telegram channels reporting on the incident suggest that the situation remains critical, with no clear indication of when the fire might be extinguished.
Several factors could explain why the fire has persisted for so long. First, given the large volume of fuel involved, controlling such a massive blaze is a complex and challenging task. Second, it’s possible that the local firefighting resources were overwhelmed by the scale of the incident or were damaged in the initial attack, further complicating efforts to contain the flames.
Local Reaction
Despite the proximity of the fire to Proletarsk, much of the local population is receiving updates primarily through social media and unofficial channels. Residents report seeing thick black smoke billowing from the site, and some have noted that the smell of fuel occasionally drifts into more distant parts of the town.
Awaiting Official Response
The lack of official statements and updates on the firefighting efforts has sparked questions about the region’s preparedness to handle such emergencies. Furthermore, it remains unclear what the long-term impact of this fire will be on the infrastructure of Proletarsk and its surrounding areas.
As the fire continues to burn, media outlets and local Telegram channels are keeping a close watch on the situation. This incident has become a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of modern drone warfare and its impact on critical infrastructure.
Video:Telegram Channel Astra
