April 1 (Reuters) - Two Ukrainian military helicopters struck a fuel depot in the Russian city of Belgorod on Friday, a Russian official said, making the first accusation of a Ukrainian air strike on Russian soil since Moscow invaded its neighbour in late February.

Video images of the purported attack posted online showed what looked like several missiles being fired from low altitude, followed by an explosion. Reuters has not yet been able to verify the images.

The helicopters struck the facility in Belgorod, some 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the border with Ukraine, after entering Russia at low altitude, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on messaging app Telegram.

The resulting blaze injured two workers, Gladkov added, while some areas of the city were being evacuated.

However, Russian oil firm Rosneft (ROSN.MM), which owns the fuel depot, said in a separate statement that no one was hurt in the fire, though it gave no information on its cause.

Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said the incident would not affect the region's fuel supplies or prices for consumers.

The governor of the neighbouring Kursk region, Roman Starovoit, said its fuel supplies were sufficient to last several weeks and called on the population not to stockpile fuel.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the general staff and the foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

An ammunition depot near Belgorod caught fire on Wednesday, causing a series of blasts. At the time, Gladkov said authorities were waiting for the Russian defence ministry to establish its cause.

Moscow calls its intervention in Ukraine "a special military operation".

AroleOduduwa2:
Just as expected, Putin need to justify his attack on Ukraine, he want Russians to see that Ukraine is dangerous and will destroy them if he doesn't take actions. I expect more of this attacks by Russia on themselves.

Rugaria:
This is like:

Russia 1 vs Ukraine 1000

GodHatesBigots:


You ae right, Russia has disgraced itself.

Rugaria:

Russia has Ukraine on a chokehold.
If the Russians decide this hour to level Kiev and take over the rubbles, it will be over in 24 hours. Go and read up on way they have done to Mariupol when the fascist Nazis there refused to heed to basic instincts.. The whole world knows this. Russia should be praised for showing enermous restraint in the face of endless provocation by the puppet regime in Kiev.

GodHatesBigots:


Russia has failed in its phase 1 aims and objectives. Levelling a city is one thing, occupying it another. For over a month Russia troops are yet to gain full control of Mariupol talk less of other major cities. Meanwhile their economy has all but crumbled and her respect is in tatters.

Russia is the loser here. The west will pump billions into Ukraine to rebuild their infrastructure.

Rugaria:

Russia has Ukraine on a chokehold.
If the Russians decide this hour to level Kiev and take over the rubbles, it will be over in 24 hours. Go and read up on way they have done to Mariupol when the fascist Nazis there refused to heed to basic instincts.. The whole world knows this. Russia should be praised for showing enermous restraint in the face of endless provocation by the puppet regime in Kiev.

Rugaria:

Russia has Ukraine on a chokehold.
If the Russians decide this hour to level Kiev and take over the rubbles, it will be over in 24 hours. Go and read up on way they have done to Mariupol when the fascist Nazis there refused to heed to basic instincts.. The whole world knows this. Russia should be praised for showing enermous restraint in the face of endless provocation by the puppet regime in Kiev.

Rugaria:

Russia has Ukraine on a chokehold.
If the Russians decide this hour to level Kiev and take over the rubbles, it will be over in 24 hours. Go and read up on way they have done to Mariupol when the fascist Nazis there refused to heed to basic instincts.. The whole world knows this. Russia should be praised for showing enermous restraint in the face of endless provocation by the puppet regime in Kiev.

fabianiyobosa:


Chokehold for how many weeks?

AroleOduduwa2:
Just as expected, Putin need to justify his attack on Ukraine, he want Russians to see that Ukraine is dangerous and will destroy them if he doesn't take actions. I expect more of this attacks by Russia on themselves.

GodHatesBigots:


Russia has failed in its phase 1 aims and objectives. Levelling a city is one thing, occupying it another. For over a month Russia troops are yet to gain full control of Mariupol talk less of other major cities. Meanwhile their economy has all but crumbled and her respect is in tatters.

Russia is the loser here. The west will pump billions into Ukraine to rebuild their infrastructure.