Ukrainian Defense Ministry reacts to fire at fuel depot in Belgorod

Ukraine is defending itself against Russian aggression on its territory and should not be responsible for any events taking place on Russian territory.

Oleksandr Motuzianyk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, said this at a briefing when asked whether Ukraine was involved in a fire that broke out at a fuel depot in Belgorod, Russia, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I want to emphasize that as of today the Ukrainian state is conducting a defense operation to repel Russian armed aggression on Ukrainian territory. And this does not mean that Ukraine should be responsible for all miscalculations and all catastrophes, all events taking place in Russia," Motuzianyk said.

He added that this is not the first time such accusations have been made against Ukraine.

"Therefore, I will neither confirm nor deny this information," Motuzianyk said.

Early on April 1, the head of the Belgorod region of Russia, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said that in the city of Belgorod, near the border with Ukraine, a large fire broke out at a fuel depot. Two workers were injured as a result of the accident.