Russian ships avoid Sevastopol Bay after oil depot fire, Kyiv says – Ukraine news / The New Voice of Ukraine

“It appears that they have increased their presence in the Black Sea, but they are doing so by maneuvering without entering those bays which they previously referred to as home ports,” said Humeniuk.

According to her, Russian ships are now more frequently entering the port of Novorossiysk (Russia’s Krasnodar Krai) to resupply, rather than the bay of Sevastopol.

“The naval group consists of ten units which are currently maneuvering, dispersed as much possible in the region which they consider safe – closer to the southeastern coast of Crimea in the Black Sea,” she added.

Humeniuk noted that the Russian fleet continues to steer clear of Ukraine-controlled Black Sea coast, fearing long-range anti-ship weapons.

Early in the morning on April 29th, explosions were heard at the Kozacha Bay near Sevastopol. Afterwards, a massive fire broke out at a local oil depot, marked with a pillar of thick black smoke.

Russian occupation “authorities” acknowledged that four fuel tanks were damaged, with the fire consuming 1,000 square meters of area. As of 2:00 PM, they fire was reportedly extinguished.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have not commented on their potential involvement in the events in Crimea. However, Ukraine’s General Staff noted that April 29 is the 105^th anniversary of Ukrainian flags being hoisted on the Black Sea Fleet ships and Sevastopol Fortress – in the aftermath of the fall of the Russian Empire.

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