Russian sources said on Tuesday that a fire at a hydrocarbon drilling rig in the Black Sea had spread to an offshore well after the attack by Ukrainian forces the day before.
Olga Kovitidi, a senator from the Crimean peninsula that Ukraine annexed to Russia, said, “The fire on the platform does not subside, we tried in vain to approach it by boat. The fire spread to the well. Attempts to extinguish it continue.” Quoted by Ria Novosti agency.
According to Moscow, Russia accused Ukrainian forces on Monday of opening fire on three drilling rigs belonging to the Chernomorneftegaz company, leaving at least three wounded and seven missing.
This is the first report of an attack on an offshore oil platform in Crimea since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine on February 24.
The Ukrainian army did not comment on the matter.
On Tuesday, Oleg Kryushkov, a Russian official on the peninsula, told Telegram that relief operations are continuing and there is still “hope” to find survivors.
Chernomorneftegaz, which has been under US sanctions since 2014, is exploring various oil and gas fields in the Black and Azov Seas.
After the annexation of Crimea, the new Russian authorities nationalized the assets of Chernomorneftegaz, formerly a subsidiary of the Ukrainian company Naftogaz.
source: Noticias
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