Missile attack in Rostov region, fire breaks out in Novoshakhtinsk
Illustrative photo: a fire broke out in Novoshakhtinsk, Russia, due to an air strike (Getty Images)
In the Novoshakhtinsk area of Russia's Rostov region, a significant fire broke out on the night of August 21. Before the blaze, air defense systems in the region were reportedly activated due to a suspected missile attack, according to the governor of the Rostov region Vasily Golubev, and local media.
The Russian official claimed that around 1 a.m. (according to the Moscow time zone), a missile was reportedly intercepted by air defense systems in the western Rostov region.
"Preliminary data suggests that there are no casualties or damage as a result of the missile debris," the governor stated.
However, videos posted on Rostov’s Telegram channels show a severe fire in the Novoshakhtinsk area following the reported missile defense operation.
Russian media suggest that the missile might have been launched to target an oil refinery, following a recent attack on Proletarsk that resulted in a large fire at an oil depot.
There are also reports online indicating that the explosion in Novoshakhtinsk was quite powerful. Debris from the supposedly intercepted missile reportedly fell near residential buildings, causing a fire emergency in the fields near the city.
Background
Previously, on August 18, there were reports of a drone attack on an oil depot in Proletarsk, Rostov region.
Sources told RBC-Ukraine that the operation was organized by Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Online sources indicated that dozens of rescuers were injured while extinguishing the fire.
Additionally, Telegram channels shared videos of rescuers refusing to tackle the blaze due to the intense flames.
On the evening of August 20, it was reported that rescuers in Proletarsk were still struggling to control the fire at the oil depot, which had been burning for three days. Moreover, another tank exploded in the area.
