Authorities in Russia have tried to ease concerns about a strong odor that followed a suspected Ukrainian drone strike on a natural gas processing facility.
Debris struck the Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant in the southern Russian region on Monday in a drone attack which sparked a fire and caused a shutdown.
After residents complained about breathing difficulties and the smell caused by the attack, Astrakhan's regional governor insisted there was no danger to health. Newsweek has contacted Russia's defense ministry for comment by email.
Why It Matters
Often without claiming direct responsibility, Ukraine has continued its drone attacks on Russian military and energy infrastructure with the aim of choking off its military machine.
The strike on Astrakhan, which is a city of nearly half a million people, shows the reach of Ukraine's drone capabilities. The damage to the processing plant is a particular blow to Moscow, as it is among the world's largest gas chemical complexes.
What To Know
Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of Ukraine, said on Telegram next to an image of a night time blast that the site in Astrakhan was among many targets for Ukrainian drones on February 3.
The plant was hit because it was one of Russia's key energy facilities which processes gas condensate and produces gasoline and diesel fuel. Ukraine's General Staff also said its defense forces struck an oil refinery in Volgograd.
Residents in Astrakhan have complained of a smell and reported breathing problems. Astrakhan's governor, Igor Babushkin, said the city was covered by a cloud of natural gas which has a distinctive smell due to processing.
But he insisted that natural gas is not hazardous to health in open spaces, and he added that the air quality will return to normal soon as the gas moves away from the city.
Babushkin said a team was working to repair the site and that the process to get production restarted was underway, which includes flare-burning, although he did not clarify which production was being restarted.
Social media users made sarcastic comments about the reassurances, with one posting on Telegram to "breathe in deeply," while another said that the governor should "tell us what else is good for your health."
What People Are Saying
Astrakhan Governor Igor Babushkin said in a statement: "Dear citizens, this morning the city was covered by a cloud of natural gas, which has a specific smell that appears after processing. I would like to warn Astrakhan residents that in the coming days before the plant returns to its scheduled operating mode, such situations are possible."
He added: "Natural gas is not hazardous to health in open spaces, and the air quality will return to normal in the near future.
What Happens Next
Motor fuel production at the site is likely to be suspended for several months, according to Reuters, citing industry experts.
Ukrainian attacks on Russian military and industrial facilities will likely continue.
English (US) ·