Two Ukrainian Helicopters Attack Russia: Fuel Depot Explodes, Belgorod Airport Not Damaged

A fuel depot fire in Belgorod, Russia due to a Russian air strike. (Source: Belgorod Region Branch of the Russian Emergencies Ministry via TASS)

JAKARTA - Two Ukrainian military helicopters attacked a fuel depot in the Russian city of Belgorod on Friday, Russian officials said, the first alleged airstrike on Russian soil since the February 24 invasion of Moscow.

Video images of the alleged attack uploaded online show what appears to be multiple missiles fired from low altitude, followed by explosions. Reuters has not been able to verify the image, as quoted April 1.

The helicopter hit the facility in Belgorod, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the border with Ukraine, after entering Russia at low altitude, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on messaging app Telegram.

The resulting fire injured two workers, Gladkov added, while evacuations were underway in several areas of the city.

Separately, Russian oil company Rosneft, the owner of the fuel depot, said in a separate statement that no one was injured in the fire, although it gave no information on the cause.

In this regard, Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said the incident would not affect fuel supply, or prices for consumers in the region.

The governor of the Kursk region Roman Starovoit said the supply of fuel in his region was sufficient for several weeks, and asked residents not to stockpile fuel.

Meanwhile, airport infrastructure in Belgorod was not damaged by the air strike, airport spokeswoman Anastasia Goodova told TASS.

"No, (the airport) was not damaged, everything is fine," he said, citing TASS.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, general staff and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not responded to requests for comment regarding the attack.