1 of 1 A cloud of smoke is seen after an explosion at a natural gas filling station on January 21, 2024 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. — Photo: Telegram via AFP A cloud of smoke is seen after an explosion in Saint Petersburg, Russia Explosion at a natural gas filling station, on January 21, 2024. — Photo: Telegram via AFP
An explosion followed by fire destroyed part of a natural gas terminal in Saint Petersburg, Russia this Sunday.
According to Novatek, Russia's largest natural gas producer, Explosion occurred due to “external causes”. According to the local press, flames could be seen throughout the city, the second largest in the country.
According to the city press, residents reported seeing drones flying over the city. The Russian news agency Interfax said, based on Russian government sources, that the fire was caused by a Drone attack in Ukraine. There are suspicions that the explosions are retaliation for recent Russian bombings in major Ukrainian cities (more on this below).
“According to preliminary information, the fire was the result of external influences,” Novatek said in a statement, without providing further details about the causes of the explosion.
Kiev had not commented as of the last update of this report, but since the start of the war in Ukraine nearly two years ago, the Ukrainian government has adopted the practice of not talking about attacks attributed to the country's army.
Ukraine attacks an oil depot in Russia
Earlier, 18 people died and ten others were injured afterwards Ukrainian forces bomb Donetskone of the Ukrainian cities currently controlled by Russia, according to Russianappointed regional director Denis Pushilin.
The city's Russianappointed mayor, Alexei Kulemzin, said the attack took place in a busy area of the city that is home to shops and a market.
Donetsk is one of four Ukrainian regions that Russia reportedly annexed following a local referendum last year. The annexation was not recognized by the United Nations (UN) and the majority of countries in the United Nations General Assembly.
Russia is carrying out massive attacks on several regions of Ukraine
There are suspicions that the explosions reported this Sunday are a retaliatory measure by Ukraine for a The recent escalation of Russian bombings in Ukraine contrasts with the war scenario in the country in 2023with actions focusing more on the battle fronts.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian troops have been shelling a number of civilian targets around the neighboring country since late December. On December 29th Moscow carried out one of the largest coordinated attacks on UkraineKiev said civilian targets such as a maternity hospital were hit and 30 people died.