Oil Depot That Supplied Fuel to two Invasion Armies Caught Fire in Luhansk

In temporarily occupied Luhansk, after the use of unknown weapons, a large-scale fire broke out at one of the local oil depots.

Local Telegram channels and Ukrainian military observers reported on the incident.

According to eyewitnesses, there was a loud noise in the city before the fire started — the facility was likely attacked by Ukrainian drones or cruise missiles.

Locals say the fire started at the oil depot on Rudnieva Street. Recently, on August 19th, the Atesh resistance movement reported conducting reconnaissance of this facility.

According to their information, the oil depot is a key logistics hub through which Russian troops supply fuel to offensive groups in the Kupiansk, Izium, and Kramatorsk sectors, in particular units of the 41st and 20th Guards Combined Arms Armies of the Russian Armed Forces.

Local sources, citing the invasion forces, claim that the tanks were allegedly almost empty and that the fire does not pose a serious threat.

However, the powerful pillar of flame and thick smoke, clearly visible even from the other side of the occupied city, suggests otherwise.

It should be noted that this oil depot has been attacked several times, including with ATACMS ballistic missiles. One such attack was reported on May 8th, 2024.

The effect of strikes on oil depots

The Ukrainian Defense Forces are frequently striking Russian oil facilities, which significantly undermines the logistics of fuel supplies for the Russian army and exacerbates the shortage on the domestic fuel market.

In a number of regions of Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, there are serious disruptions in gasoline supplies and a significant increase in prices for its remaining stocks.

The shortage is most acute in Crimea. Gasoline has disappeared completely from some gas stations, while at others it appears sporadically, leading to a persistent fuel shortage on the peninsula.

The problems have also spread to other regions of the Russian Federation. In Transbaikalia, the price tags for AI-95 have disappeared from gas stations, and the remaining gasoline is only being sold to corporate clients. In Vladivostok, two brands are in short supply: AI-92 and AI-95.