Inferno oil well shot by MT-12 Rapira anti-tank gun to halt taiga pollution

The Russian army was called in to the remote site in Irkutsk region to tackle the fire which had been burning for almost ten days.

The shots aimed at the burning fountain reinforcement were made with ‘jewellery precision’ by troops in charge of the anti-tank MT-12 Rapira gun. 

The operation started at night after the weapon was flown in by military transport plane.

By late morning on 8 June the well was sealed and the inferno eliminated. 

The gun was flown to Siberia at the order of Ministry of Defence Sergey Shoigu from Saratov, and delivered to Ust-Kut district of Irkutsk region where the fire was burning since 30 May. 

Azat Galimyanov, chief engineer of LLC "Tikhookeanskiy Terminal" (Pacific Terminal), said: ‘The company expresses its gratitude to servicemen of the Central Military District for prompt assistance in liquidating the oil well fire.

‘The operation was conducted successfully, we are moving to the final stage of eliminating the fire.’ 

The facility belongs to Irkutsk Oil Company (INK) and is some 1,000 km east of Irkutsk city. The nearest village is reported to be 100 km from the site.

The shots aimed at the burning fountain reinforcement were made with ‘jewellery precision’ by troops in charge of the anti-tank MT-12 Rapira gun. Video: MoD Russia/TV Zvezda