Moscow [Russia], June 23: At least four people have been killed in Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, authorities reported on Sunday, as reports of fires at a major fuel depot circulated on social media.
The Moscow-appointed political head of the peninsula, Sergey Aksonyov, reported a further 28 people injured on Telegram.
A number of explosions and fires in various parts of the peninsula were reported on influential social media channels.
Telegram channel Krymsky Veter reported a fire at the fuel depot in Kerch, a port lying at the eastern tip of the peninsula, and a large cloud of smoke over the city.
The regional authorities closed the bridge linking Kerch with the Russian mainland to traffic overnight.
The port of Kavkaz on the Russian side of the Kerch Strait is also reported to have been hit. The port has a fuel terminal and oil depot.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to the country's intelligence services.
"Targets on both sides of the Crimean Bridge were struck: marine logistics for the transport of oil in the Krasnodar region and an oil depot in temporarily occupied Kerch," he posted on Telegram.
Zelensky posted a video he claimed showed the consequences of the strikes, describing the targets as military in nature and including Russian air defence systems. He said they were revenge for Russian strikes on Ukraine.
"I thank our soldiers for their accuracy and professionalism. Russia understands only strength," he said.
Crimea is currently facing a chronic shortage of fuel.
Moscow-appointed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev posted on Telegram that fuel deliveries were still being delayed and cancelled a petrol allocation to private motorists scheduled for Sunday. He said that fuel was available only for official services.
Aksyonov extended a fuel ban to the entire peninsula, with only official bodies responsible for Crimea's security allowed access to fuel.
"I call on everyone to remain calm," he said in a video message to the population.
Crimea's tourist sector is predicting that millions of tourists will this summer stay away from the peninsula, a popular destination for Russian travellers.
Russia annexed the peninsula in 2014 and has used it to mount attacks on the Ukrainian mainland since its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Source: Qatar Tribune
