Crimean Explosion

A massive fire erupted at an oil depot on the Crimean Peninsula over the weekend, an incident Russian officials blamed on a pair of armed drones launched by Ukrainian forces. It would mark one of the most aggressive acts of force by Ukraine in the region since Russia annexed it in 2014 (see map).

The incident comes as reports suggest Ukraine is preparing for a spring counteroffensive—a much-anticipated escalation in the conflict that would potentially come after a winter in which both sides largely held their territory. Separate reports suggest Russian forces have fortified their positions along the eastern front (see breakdown).

More than 350,000 troops have been killed in the fighting to date. See an update on the war here.