Massive fire breaks out in Russian-occupied Makiivka after explosion

9 December, 2023 A powerful fire in the occupied Makiivka, December 9, 2023. Photo from social networks A large-scale fire broke out in Russian-occupied Makiivka, Donetsk region, after a powerful explosion.

Local Telegram channels are publishing photos and videos of the event. According to preliminary reports, an oil depot used by Russian invaders in the war against Ukraine is on fire. Powerful flames and a column of black smoke from the fire can be seen for many kilometers.

Shortly before the fire started, the invaders announced the operation of their air defense in the Donetsk region, near Makiivka. It is reported that an oil depot or a Russian military fuel and lubricants depot is on fire.

A massive fire in the occupied Makiivka, December 9, 2023. Photos from social media

On social media, locals write that a powerful explosion occurred before the fire, the origin of which is currently unknown.

In the comments under the video with footage of a massive fire in some local online communities, users write that the Artemis oil depot is probably on fire. In its turn, the Typical Donetsk Telegram channel published a photo of debris of unknown origin allegedly found in Makiivka.

Unidentified debris allegedly found in Makiivka, December 9, 2023. Photo credits: Typical Donetsk Telegram channel

Last month, an ammunition depot of the Russian army exploded in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region.

This happened on the evening of November 5, in the village of Siedove, near the border with Russia. Powerful explosions were heard in Mariupol and other settlements nearby.

The explosion of a Russian ammunition depot in the village of Siedove, Donetsk region, November 5, 2023. A frame from a video from social media

The settlement, where the Russian military facility was located, is a rear area for the Russian invaders, located on the shore of the Azov Sea, more than 100 kilometers from the front line and 45 kilometers east of Mariupol.

It is currently unknown what weapon systems the Armed Forces of Ukraine used to strike this ammunition depot of the Russian invaders.