Several explosions occurred Tuesday near a Russian military airfield in western Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia, Russian authorities claiming that they had taken place in an ammunition depot. Videos posted on social media showed a fireball forming after a loud blast, as thick billows of black smoke billowed into the sky and holidaymakers panicked leaving the nearby local beach.
Ukraine: Russian sources report a series of explosions in the village of Novofedorivka, in Crimea occupied by the Russian army. pic.twitter.com/JAafwiApVe
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A depot that has not been the target of any shots
“Several munitions intended for aviation exploded in a depot located on the territory of the Saki military airfield, near the town of Novofyodorovka,” the Russian army said in a statement. The depot in question was not the target of any shooting or bombardment, she added, without however specifying the origin of these explosions. Initially, the Russian army had assured that there had been no casualties in the explosions. But later in the day, the leader of Crimea, Sergey Aksionov, reported one death.
“Unfortunately, one person was killed. I send my deepest condolences to his relatives,” Sergei Aksionov wrote on Telegram.
Five people injured including a child, says Crimean Health Minister
For his part, Crimean Health Minister Konstantin Skorupsky said five people were injured, including a child. Thirty people were evacuated from Novofyodorovka, according to local authorities. Shortly before, they had announced that “several explosions” had occurred near the military airfield, without explaining the cause. Crimea, a peninsula of Ukraine annexed in 2014 by Moscow, has been on the front line of Russia’s military offensive against its Ukrainian neighbor since February 24.
Russian planes take off almost daily from Crimea to strike targets in regions under the control of kyiv and several areas of this peninsula are located within the range of Ukrainian guns and drones. Despite the conflict, Crimea has remained an important vacation spot for many Russians who continue to enjoy summer on its beaches. “Tourists are not in danger. We ask you to keep calm,” said a Russian deputy elected in Crimea, Alexei Tcherniak.
“All the necessary measures to ensure the safety of the infrastructure and the population have been taken,” said Sergueï Aksionov for his part.
Source: Europe1
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