On Thursday, a blast and fire occurred at a building owned by Russia’s FSB security service in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The cause of the fire was reportedly due to fuel and lubricants catching fire in a workshop, causing an explosion and partial building collapse. Nearby buildings were evacuated, and emergency services reported that one person died and two were injured.
The incident occurred in Rostov, which is the capital of a region that adjoins parts of eastern Ukraine where battles with Russia are raging. Reuters footage showed thick black smoke billowing into the air near residential buildings and a shopping centre in the area.
The FSB, whose roles include internal security and counter-terrorism, issued a statement stating that the fire started in a workshop, causing an explosion and the partial collapse of the building housing its border patrol section. Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev said that the fire appeared to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit.
Russian news agencies reported that Russia has experienced sporadic fires at oil and gas installations on its territory near Ukraine, as well as attacks on railways, since initiating a “special military operation” last year. Moscow has accused Kyiv of cross-border attacks with drones. Last month, President Vladimir Putin told the FSB to do more to counter what he said was increasing espionage and sabotage by Ukraine and the West.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, denied Ukraine’s involvement in the Rostov blast, stating that “Ukraine doesn’t interfere but watches with pleasure…”
The incident in Rostov highlights the tense relationship between Russia and Ukraine, which have been at odds since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The conflict has since escalated, with fighting in eastern Ukraine and accusations of cross-border attacks.
In recent years, there have been several incidents of sabotage and attacks on critical infrastructure in Russia. In 2019, a massive explosion occurred at a military testing site in northern Russia, resulting in radiation levels spiking in the surrounding areas. The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but some experts believe it was caused by a failed missile test.
While the cause of the Rostov blast appears to be accidental, the incident underscores the importance of maintaining safety protocols in critical infrastructure facilities. The potential for accidents and sabotage can have devastating consequences not only for the facilities themselves but also for the surrounding communities.
As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities will likely focus on identifying the cause of the fire and determining whether any safety protocols were violated. The incident serves as a reminder that safety must always be a top priority in critical infrastructure facilities, particularly in regions that are prone to conflict and instability.
A blast and fire occurred at a building owned by Russia’s FSB security service in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The incident occurred in an area that adjoins parts of eastern Ukraine where battles with Russia are raging. Russian news agencies reported that the country has experienced sporadic fires at oil and gas installations on its territory near Ukraine, as well as attacks on railways, since initiating a “special military operation” last year. The cause of the Rostov blast appears to be accidental, but authorities will continue to investigate the incident.