CRIMEA, Russia: Fire at an oil terminal in Crimea has led to the evacuation of over 1,000 residents, following Ukraine’s claim of a successful strike on the facility.
The incident occurred in Feodosia, a town with a population of approximately 70,000, where Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted the offshore oil terminal as part of their broader strategy to disrupt Russia’s energy sector, which funds its military operations in Ukraine.
Local authorities reported that the fire has spread over an area of about 2,500 square meters, prompting the Russian-appointed mayor, Igor Tkachenko, to announce the evacuation measures via Telegram. While the fire disrupted local transportation, including road and train closures, initial assessments from Russia’s consumer safety watchdog indicated that there were no dangerous levels of air pollution detected in the area.
Although Russia has not confirmed the occurrence of a Ukrainian strike on the terminal, Ukrainian military officials emphasized the strategic importance of the facility. It is the largest oil terminal in Crimea, supplying fuel essential for the Russian military’s activities in the region. Ukraine has vowed to continue targeting Russian energy assets, framing these actions as necessary retaliation for ongoing assaults on its own energy infrastructure, which have left millions of Ukrainians without power.
The situation in Crimea reflects the escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict, with both sides intensifying military actions as Ukraine seeks to diminish Russia’s operational capabilities.
