Fire erupts at Crimea oil depot following 'enemy' drone strike, says Russia-appointed official

Watch as an oil depot in Crimea goes up in flames after an 'enemy' drone strike

A massive fire erupted at an oil depot in Crimea after it was hit by two of Ukraine's drones, a Russia-appointed official has said.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of the Black Sea peninsula's port city of Sevastopol, posted videos and photos of the blaze on his Telegram channel.

Razvozhayev said the fire at the city's harbour was assigned the highest ranking in terms of how complicated it will be to extinguish.

It was the latest in a series of attacks on the annexed peninsula as Russia braces for an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Razvozhayev said the oil depot was attacked by “two enemy drones," and four oil tanks burned down.

A third drone was shot down from the sky over Crimea, and one more was deactivated through radio-electronic means, according to Crimea's Moscow-appointed governor, Sergei Aksyonov.Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world considered illegal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his country is seeking to reclaim the peninsula during Russia's current full-scale invasion.

Razvozhayev said the oil reservoir fire did not cause any casualties and would not hinder fuel supplies in Sevastopol.

The city has been subject to regular attack attempts with drones, especially in recent weeks.

Earlier this week, Razvozhayev reported that the Russian military destroyed a Ukrainian sea drone that attempted to attack the harbor and another one blew up, shattering windows in several apartment buildings, but not inflicting any other damage.

Ukrainian officials did not immediately comment on the oil reservoir fire.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.