The strike caused a huge explosion at the oil depot in Russia (Pictures: East2West News)
A massive fire has broken out at an oil depot in Russia after it was attacked by a pro-Putin helicopter.
The strike in Voronezh caused a huge explosion and thick black smoke can be seen billowing into the air from the fireball.
More than 100 firefighters are tackling the fuel tank blaze after it was allegedly targeted by a Ka-52 helicopter of the Russian Aerospace Forces.
The helicopter was reportedly shot down shortly afterwards.
Wagner forces have reportedly seized key military sites in the area as they close in on Moscow in an attempt to overthrow Vladimir Putin.
Mercenary Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and his men also took control of the city of Rostov-on-Don earlier today.
The private militia had been fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine but they have turned their back and made their way across the border.
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A Russian helicopter struck an oil depot in Voronezh (Picture: Twitter)
Thick black smoke billowed from the site following the strike (Picture: Social media/East2West News)
It is not immediately clear what his aims are, but the rebellion marks an escalation in Mr Prigozhin’s struggle with Russian military leaders, whom he has accused of botching the war in Ukraine and hamstringing his forces in the field.
‘This is not a military coup, but a march of justice,’ Mr Prigozhin said.
He posted a video of himself at the Russian military headquarters in Rostov and claimed that his forces had taken control of the airfield and other military facilities in the city.
Other videos posted on social media showed military vehicles, including tanks, on the streets – and many heading towards Moscow along the M4 highway near Voronezh, around 340 miles from the capital.
Wagner private mercenary group vehicles drive along the M4 highway, near Voronezh, which links the capital Moscow with Russia’s southern cities (Picture: Reuters)
Wagner troops have been travelling further north through Russia today (Picture: Reuters)
Mr Prigozhin said his forces faced no resistance from young conscripts as they crossed into Russia, saying his troops ‘aren’t fighting against children’.
‘But we will destroy anyone who stands in our way,’ he declared in one of a series of video and audio recordings posted on social media, beginning late on Friday.
‘We are moving forward and will go until the end,’ he claimed.
President Putin condemned the rebellion, which comes at a time when Russia is ‘fighting the toughest battle for its future’ as Western governments heap sanctions on Moscow and arm Ukraine.
He called the uprising by Mr Prigozhin, whom he did not mention by name, a ‘betrayal’ and ‘treason’.
A truck transporting Wagner military vehicles was spotted on the M4 highway (Picture: Reuters)
The Russian dictator said: ‘All those who prepared the rebellion will suffer inevitable punishment.
‘The armed forces and other government agencies have received the necessary orders.’
As the fast-moving events unfold in Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow is suffering ‘full-scale weakness’ and that Kyiv was protecting Europe from ‘the spread of Russian evil and chaos’.
The UK has also called emergency COBRA meeting. The committee, which meets to formulate responses to emergencies, will convene to discuss the unfolding situation in Russia.
It will be chaired by foreign secretary James Cleverly.
Wagner militia forces say they are heading for Moscow.
