109 firefighters work in the unit and 38 teams are involved, said the acting governor of the region, Yuri Slyusar.
Telegram channels confirmed that the fire occurred at the Atlas oil refinery, located near the border with the Russian-controlled Luhansk region. Despite the magnitude of the fire, no injuries were reported.
Local authorities also said that about 30 drones were shot down over the area. The Russian Defense Ministry reports the elimination of 47 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles overnight, of which 29 were destroyed over the Rostov region.
Since its creation, the Atlas oil depot has specialized in the storage and transportation of petroleum products. According to local media reports, the company supplies fuel for the needs of the Russian army. In 2020, the Caucasus 2020 exercises, organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Russian Federal Reserve, were held at the Atlas base. During the exercises, fuel transportation methods were tested: by road, by rail and by pipeline.
The Rostov region has repeatedly become a target for drones. The Atlas incident comes amid an increase in airstrikes against strategic targets, indicating a growing slowdown in border areas.
Officials and experts say the drone attacks could target facilities that are key to the security of the Russian military.
Previously, Kursor reported that the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) published recommendations for preparing an “alarm suitcase” that may be needed in case of natural disasters, man-made accidents or the threat of armed conflict.
