Drone strikes hit Crimea overnight, Hvardiiske oil base ablaze
Explosions at an ammunition depot in Crimea (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Two powerful explosions were reported in Simferopol and the Simferopol district. In Hvardiiske, a fuel depot is reportedly on fire, according to the Telegram channel Krymskyi Veter.
Around 2:40 a.m., messages appeared about gunfire and explosions in the village of Hvardiiske in temporarily occupied Crimea.
Reports indicated that the settlement was being targeted by unidentified drones, and a fuel depot was burning.
Residents speculate that an ammunition depot was hit.
Subscribers of the Telegram channel report that the burning fuel depot in Hvardiyske is visible from the outskirts of Simferopol, with flames stretching for several kilometers.
Currently, two smoke columns are visible from Simferopol: one from the burning fuel depot in Hvardiiske, and another from Simferopol Airport or the airfield in Hvardiiske (they are nearly aligned).
Preliminary information indicates that the fuel depot in Hvardiyske belongs to the ATAN gas station network, part of the company LLC Kedr, which owns the largest network of gas stations in Crimea (over 100 stations), along with warehouses and a fleet of fuel trucks.
As a result of the strike, a shortage of gasoline and diesel fuel in Crimea is likely to increase, according to the Telegram channel Krymskyi Veter.
Additionally, around 6:30 a.m., several powerful explosions occurred in Simferopol and the Simferopol district.
Updated at 07:30
Explosions were also reported overnight in Saky and Novofedorivka.
Local communities report that school classes in Yevpatoria have been canceled. The city is experiencing power and water outages.
The Saky district electricity network stated that there was an emergency shutdown at a substation. The duration of repair work is still being determined.
Explosions in Crimea
As previously reported by RBC-Ukraine, explosions were heard in temporarily occupied Crimea on the night of October 13. Russians complained about an attack by unidentified drones.
Residents reported power outages in Simferopol and Feodosia. There may have been a strike on the Simferopol TPP (Tavriysk TPP).
Hvardiiske is known as a launch site for Shahed drones targeting Ukraine. It also houses warehouses with Russian drones.
Additionally, on the night of October 6, Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the facilities of the Sea Oil Terminal in temporarily occupied Feodosia. The oil transfer complex burned for two consecutive days.
