In the city of Yartsevo, Smolensk region, Russia, a drone strike occurred overnight on December 31. The attack targeted a local oil depot, resulting in a fire at the facility, according to Roman Zakharov, head of the Yartsevo district in the Smolensk region.

According to the Russian official, the fuel and energy facility was attacked by “Ukrainian UAVs.”

“As a result of the enemy attack, fires broke out. Emergency services are currently on-site, working to extinguish the open flames,” Zakharov wrote.

He also stated that “special services and competent authorities” are investigating the incident.

Additionally, the district official urged residents not to record or share footage of the drone strike, air defense operations, or other related incidents on social media.

Meanwhile, videos and photos of the drone strike near Yartsevo and the burning oil depot have already surfaced online.

Russian media also reported an aerial attack in Oryol overnight. However, local authorities have not yet commented on this information.

Later, Smolensk Governor Vasily Anokhin released a statement on his Telegram channel, claiming that the fire at the oil depot was caused by debris from a downed drone.

“Today, in the Yartsevo district, the Russian Ministry of Defense’s air defense systems suppressed an attack by Ukrainian UAVs. According to preliminary information, the debris from one of the drones fell onto the oil depot premises. This resulted in a fuel spill and a fire in the petroleum products,” the Russian official said.

He also stated that efforts to “contain the aftermath” are ongoing and assured that “there is no threat to residential buildings.”

It is not the first time that Russia has complained about drone attacks in the Smolensk region. For example, earlier reports indicated a UAV strike and a fire in the region on the night of September 15.

In June, Russian authorities also claimed a drone attack on military facilities in the Smolensk region.

In April, a drone strike also resulted in a fire at an oil depot in the Smolensk region, specifically in the Yartsevo district. A satellite captured footage of that major fire at the oil depot.