This was reported by Defense Express.
The materials noted that "Kombinat Kristall" is a storage facility for the state reserve, where fuel for the Russian strategic aviation base "Engels" is kept. As a result of the explosions at the base, a fire broke out, engulfing a significant portion of the tanks.
It is reported that this fuel was used to refuel the enemy's strategic bombers Tu-95MS and Tu-160 from the 22nd heavy bomber aviation division. At the same time, it is known that while Tu-95MS uses standard types of aviation fuel (T-1, TS, RT), Tu-160 requires a rather specific high-density fuel grade T-8V.
"The production of this fuel is quite a specialized process that is not carried out at every oil refinery. Unfortunately, information about its production in the Russian Federation could not be found, but during the Soviet era, high-density fuels were produced only at the petrochemical plants in Angara (now "Angarsk Petrochemical Company") and Orsk (now "Orsknefteorgsintez")", the material states.
Experts also concluded that if the tanks storing T-8V fuel for Tu-160 were hit, it could somewhat "ground" these aircraft and reduce their operational activity against the enemy.
Recall that on the night of January 8, the oil depot in Engels was attacked by drones. A massive fire broke out on site.
Shortly before, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the attack on the "Kristall" oil depot in Russia. Thus, the defenders created serious logistical problems for the occupiers' strategic aviation, significantly reducing its capability to shell Ukraine.