2024-01-21T06:05:02+00:00
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/ The governor of the Leningrad region confirmed early on Sunday that a fire broke out at a terminal belonging to Novatek, Russia’s largest producer of liquefied natural gas, on the Baltic Sea, amid reports of drones being seen in the area.
“There were no casualties as a result of the fire at the Novatek terminal in the port of Ust-Luga. The employees were evacuated,” Governor Alexander Drozdenko said on Telegram.
Drozdenko did not mention the cause of the fire at the Novatek terminal in the port.
The Russian news site “Shot” reported on the Telegram app that residents in the area heard the sound of a drone followed by several explosions.
At least two drones were spotted in the sky heading towards St Petersburg before news of the fire at the station emerged, St. Petersburg-based Fontanka news agency said.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports.
Russia and Ukraine have targeted facilities linked to each other’s energy infrastructure in strikes aimed at disrupting supply lines, logistics and demoralizing the other side in a nearly two-year war that shows no sign of ending.
Drozdenko said a “high alert regime” had been put in place in the area as officials gathered for an emergency meeting.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has killed and injured tens of thousands and displaced millions inside and outside the country, while Russian forces control large parts of the Donbas region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk, in southeastern Ukraine, at a time when Kiev is launching regular attacks on Russian sites and targets.