Russia: Ammunition detonated at Crimea base, no victims
An ammunition depot located on an airbase in Russian-occupied Crimea has exploded, according to the Russian Defence Ministry and local reports on Tuesday. Videos shared online that were said to have been recorded near Novofedorivka showed explosions and large clouds of smoke. Tourists fled from the area.
- World
- AFP
- Published Date: 05:50 | 09 August 2022
- Modified Date: 07:16 | 09 August 2022
Ammunition detonated at an airfield in Moscow-annexed Crimea on Tuesday but there were no victims, the Russian defence ministry said.
The blasts at the Saki airfield took place on the 167th day of Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine.
"Several aviation munitions detonated" near the settlement of Novofyodorovka, the defence ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.
"As a result of the explosion no one was hurt."
The Russian defence ministry said it was looking to establish the reason for the explosions but indicated that the airfield was not targeted in an attack.
According to dramatic footage on social media, holidaymakers left the local beach in panic as large plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky. Cars rushed to leave Novofyodorovka, as ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Crimea borders the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson -- now controlled by Moscow -- and the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia -- partially occupied by the Russian army -- is also nearby.
In a video statement, Crimea head Sergei Aksyonov, speaking from the scene, said the affected area had been cordoned off.
"All necessary measures have been tightened to ensure the safety of infrastructure facilities and the population," he said.
Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow from Ukraine in 2014, is a popular tourist destination.
- Gaza parents mourn children killed in conflict with Israel
- Britain braced for heatwave as millions more face hosepipe ban
- New Mexico police arrest suspect suspect believed to be involved in fatal shootings of Muslim men
- Donald Trump seizes on FBI raid to boost 2024 presidential bid
- Moscow accuses United States of "unreasonable and unnecessary escalation"