Dramatic moment Ukraine hits key Russian oil base sparking huge blaze as Putin train is blown up in 'sabotage attack' | The Sun

UKRAINE claimed it has struck a major Russian-controlled oil depot as a train carrying ammunition and fuel in occupied territory also exploded in a suspected sabotage attack.

Dramatic scenes unfolded after a huge blast and fire at the oil facility in the occupied Donetsk region following intense shelling.



The exploded oil was intended for use by Russian troops, local reports claimed. 

There were four large oil tanks at the facility in the Budennovsky district.

"It is difficult to assess the damage to the oil depot, but extensive fire indicates damage to the reservoir or underground storage,” said a military Telegram channel report. 

In a separate incident, pro-Kyiv partisans also blew up a train used to carry fuel and ammunition from annexed Crimea to Melitopol and Dniprorudne, both in the Zaporizhzhia region. 

Read more on Ukraine war

HUGE BOOST

Ukraine hails 'victory' as EU leaders vote to open membership talks

INCHES FROM DEATH

Moment Putin fighter pilot cheats death as his own side opens fire

On its return journey, the train was used to convey ore, grain and damaged equipment from the temporarily occupied territories.

“As a result of the controlled explosion, the railway and a locomotive with wagons were damaged,” said the Ukrainian centre of national resistance.

“The explosion itself happened at 8am. The occupiers have surrounded the place of the explosion and are searching the surrounding area.”

“Thanks to the heroes of the underground, the train finally completed its movement.”

Most read in The Sun

NO DEEL-EY

Cat Deeley ‘rejects This Morning offer to replace Holly for huge job in the US’

TRAGIC ENDING

Matthew Perry’s cause of death revealed after toxicology report completed

SHOW’S OVER

BBC axes legendary sports show after 50 years on screens

PIERS HITS BACK

Harry wouldn’t know truth if it slapped him around his face, fumes Piers

A collage paid tribute to the partisans seen as responsible for disrupting Putin’s grip on occupied territories.

This was the 11th alleged sabotage attack this year on Russian trains linked to Vladimir Putin’s war, said the Ukrainians. 

“The current sabotage is far from the last,” said a statement.

Russia has not admitted to losing the key rail link.

It comes after a Russian fighter pilot barely escaped death after a rocket launcher fired into the sky as an Su-25 warplane flew overhead.

Extraordinary footage captured the hair-raising moment the Putin fighter flew at a low altitude and was nearly struck – by his own side.

The 13-second clip showed one rocket launch from a small machine on the ground, followed by many others fired in quick succession.

Miraculously, the Su-25 managed to escape the relentless rockets and continue flying.

Pro-war telegram channel Two Majors said: "Our warriors are people of unbridled courage."

It is unclear where exactly the plane – a subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine Su-25 – was nearly hit in the Russia-Ukraine warzone.

Meanwhile, European Union leaders have agreed to open membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described it as a "victory for Ukraine" and a "victory for all of Europe" as the decision was announced by the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Zelensky tweeted: "This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens."

The announcement came as a surprise to Hungary, however, as the country has been vowing to block such a decision at a two-day meeting in Brussels, Sky News reported.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has since described it as a "bad decision".

Read more on The Sun

SCREEN IT

Android upgrade that could rival Siri leaked – is your phone eligible? 

STAYING TOASTY

Plumber reveals 'fastest and cheapest' radiator trick to slash heating bills

He said on Facebook: "Twenty six member states were adamant that this decision must be made so Hungary decided that if 26 decide so, they should go on their own path. 

"Hungary does not wish to participate in this bad decision, and therefore stayed away from the decision today."

Source: Read Full Article