A major Russian ammunition depot has exploded triggering an ‘apocalyptic’ mushroom cloud after suspected Ukrainian strikes early today.
Huge fireballs and smoke clouds erupted at the site in the eastern part of the annexed Crimean peninsula. The incessant explosions could be heard from at least 13 miles away.
There were many dead and wounded at the military training ground epicentre of the explosions, reported Ukrainian channel Crimean Wind, but swiftly denied by Moscow-appointed head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov.
Unconfirmed local reports suggested up to three aerial strikes on a ‘warehouse’ at the military training zone, after which the explosions and flames spread.
The attack may have been conducted by UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, suggested The Moscow Times.
Huge fireballs and smoke clouds erupted at the site in the eastern part of the annexed Crimean peninsula
An ‘apocalyptic’ mushroom cloud rose over a Russian ammunition depot after suspected Ukrainian strikes early today
There were many dead and wounded at the military training ground epicentre of the explosions, reported Ukrainian channel Crimean Wind
The main Tavrida Highway – linking to the Crimean Bridge hit on Monday by Ukrainian marine drones – was closed by the occupying Russian army.
Some 2,250 people from four settlements near the Starokrymsky military training ground were evacuated. The villages were named as Krynichki, Aivazovskoye, Abrikosovka and Privetnoye.
Spectacular explosions continued for more than four hours after starting at around 4.30am in Kirovsky district. Thick smoke was seen billowing into the sky.
‘It’s scene from the apocalypse,’ said a passing driver.
The Russian authorities controlling Crimea did not elaborate on the cause of the inferno.
Aksyonov said: ‘The causes of the fire at the training ground in the Kirovsky district will be established by the investigating authorities.
‘There were no casualties,’ he tried to claim. ‘The evacuees are provided with assistance.
‘People in temporary accommodation centres will be provided with everything necessary.
‘The liquidation of the consequences [of the explosions] will be carried out as soon as possible… Please keep calm and trust only official sources of information.’
The explosions came as Russia launched a blistering attack on Odessa for the second consecutive night.
Unconfirmed local reports suggested up to three aerial strikes on a ‘warehouse’ at the military training zone as fire balls plumed into the air
A explosion erupts in fireball in the distance due to strikes that could be heard from at least 13 miles away
A video showed a launch of an Onyx missile – with a range of up to 500 miles – from Cossack Bay in Sevastopol. Reports said around ten missiles were launched.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that at night the country was attacked by 6 Kalibr cruise missiles and 35 drones. Capital city Kyiv was also targeted by the Russians.
Footage a day earlier showed Russia’s devastating cruise missile attacks on Odessa for the second night in succession.
The blitz on the city was seen as ‘revenge’ for Ukraine humiliating Putin by striking his £3 billion Crimean Bridge with kamikaze marine drones on Monday.
Video shows the huge blasts as Kh-22 and Onyx missiles strike the port. Drones were also used in the attack.
Reports suggest Moscow has destroyed warehouses used to supply grain to the most needy countries in the world.
Putin has blocked renewal of an agreement between the warring states that allowed exports to travel across the Black Sea and out to the world.
Smoke covers the sky after a Russian ammunition depot exploded after suspected Ukrainian strikes at Starokrymsky military training ground
Vladimir Putin has blocked renewal of an agreement between the warring states that allowed exports to travel across the Black Sea and out to the world
The attack on the Russian munitions depot may have conducted by UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, suggested The Moscow Times
‘The Kh-22 and Onyx missile launches were aimed at infrastructure in the Odessa region,’ said the Ukrainian Air Force .
‘It was a hellish night,’ said Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for the regional military administration. The attack was ‘very powerful, truly massive’.
Warehouses with tobacco, fireworks, tourist bases, and hotels were hit, said the regional military administration. Six people sought medical assistance.
Russian military blogger Vladimir Romanov said Putin’s forces hit port infrastructure, a military unit in Usatovo – including air defence systems, and tank warehouses.
