MOSCOW: A Ukrainian drone strike targeted a fuel tank at one of Russia’s largest iron ore plants on Wednesday, causing a fire but resulting in no casualties, according to Russian officials and the plant’s owner.
The incident occurred in the Kursk region, known for its iron mines, and specifically at the Mikhailovsky GOK iron ore plant, owned by Metalloinvest, Russia’s largest iron ore producer.
Unverified video footage circulating on Russian Telegram channels showed plumes of black smoke rising from the plant, indicating damage caused by the attack. The plant confirmed the incident, stating that a fuel tank at the fuel and lubricants warehouse caught fire but reassured that operations were continuing as usual and that no injuries were reported. Efforts were underway to extinguish the fire.
Kursk governor Roman Starovoit attributed the attack to Kyiv, blaming Ukraine for the incident in the Zheleznogorsky district of the Kursk region. He expressed concerns about potential missile strikes on the area. Mikhailovsky GOK, the target of the attack, is a significant iron ore mining and processing facility in Russia, contributing to the country’s iron ore production.
This is not the first instance of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Russian energy infrastructure. In recent weeks, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities. The Kursk region, along with regions like Belgorod and Voronezh, has been regularly targeted by Ukrainian attacks since Russia deployed troops into Ukraine in February 2022.
Authorities in Belgorod and Voronezh reported downing drones in their regions, with the Baza Telegram channel suggesting that the drones were attempting to target a military airbase and an oil depot. The incident underscores the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the use of drones as a strategic tool in the conflict.
