A fire broke out at an oil storage tank in Russia following an attack by protesters in the city of Penza
Early Friday morning, a massive fire broke out at an oil storage tank in the western Russian city of Penza, reportedly caused by a drone attack, according to local authorities. This incident is part of a series of tit-for-tat attacks on energy infrastructure between the warring parties, highlighting the evolving nature of the conflict and its expanding geographical scope.
Details of the attack in Penza
The governor of the Penza region, Oleg Melnichenko, reported via Telegram that the attack occurred around 4:00 AM local time (1:00 AM GMT). He explained that a drone caused a fire inside an oil storage tank on the eastern outskirts of the city. According to preliminary information from the governor's office, no injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the incident, and emergency teams were able to contain the situation.
Social media activists have been sharing videos showing a thick column of smoke and flames rising from the oil depot site, reflecting the scale of the fire at the vital facility.
The strategic dimension and expanding the scope of the confrontation
This attack is particularly significant given the geographical location of Penza, which is approximately 618 kilometers from the front lines. The drones' ability to reach this depth within Russia indicates a marked development in long-range offensive capabilities and a strategy aimed at shifting the battleground into Russian territory, away from traditional battlefronts.
In a related context, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its air defenses intercepted at least 12 Ukrainian drones during the same night in various areas, confirming that one of them was shot down over the Penza region, but the debris or direct hit caused a fire.
Energy war: mutual targeting of infrastructure
This incident falls within the context of what could be termed a "refinery war" or energy war, as Kyiv has recently intensified its attacks using relatively low-cost drones to target Russian oil and gas facilities. This strategy aims to achieve two main objectives: first, to deplete Moscow's economic resources, which are heavily reliant on energy revenues, and second, to disrupt the logistical and fuel supplies needed for Russian military equipment involved in the war.
In contrast, Kyiv considers these attacks a "just and legitimate response" to ongoing Russian missile strikes targeting Ukraine's power grid. The recent Russian attacks have left thousands of Ukrainian civilians without heating and electricity, particularly as temperatures plummet below freezing, exacerbating the country's humanitarian crisis.
