The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that explosive devices had exploded at a military airfield and ruled out an air raid or artillery fire.
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Posted on 8/9/2022 4:02 PM Updated on 8/9/2022 4:31 PM
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On Tuesday, August 9, several explosions sounded near the town of Novofedorivka, a small coastal town in annexed Crimea. According to numerous images posted on social networks, plumes of black smoke were visible several hundred meters away.
However, the incident is not related to a possible artillery barrage or airstrikes. In a statement, Russia’s Defense Ministry said “aviation ammunition exploded in a protected storage area” at Saki Air Base and no one was injured, an initial report said. According to this source, the airport infrastructure has still not been damaged.
Sergei Aksenov, leader of the annexed Crimea, in a video at the site of the explosions, August 9, 2022 in Novofedorivka. (SERGEJ AKSENOV / TELEGRAM)
“Measures have been taken to install a security perimeter in an area of five kilometers,” said (in Russian) Sergei Aksenov, leader of this area claimed by Russia since 2014. In a video recorded on the spot, he adds that at this time no civilians have requested the help of rescue workers and he asks the population to trust only the information provided by the authorities. One of his advisers adds that around thirty people had to be evacuated.
Since the end of February, Crimea has been at the forefront of the Russian military offensive against its Ukrainian neighbor. Russian planes take off from there almost every day to attack targets in areas under Kiev’s control. Despite the conflict, Crimea remained an important vacation destination for many Russians. Many of them were enjoying the beaches at the time of the blasts.