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Satellite images show heavy damage to Russian base in Crimea where explosions were reported on Tuesday

Satellite images taken by the US company Planet Labs show serious damage to the Russian Saki air base in Crimea, after a series of explosions were recorded there on Tuesday. Although Russia has minimized the importance of the incident, the images show that several fighter planes were completely destroyed and damage is also seen in many airfield facilities.

In the photographs of before and after the attack, it is clear to see extensions of burned land, craters and at least 8 fighter jets destroyed in a parking area. Damage can also be seen on the approach runways and on several buildings, as well as some of them completely destroyed. According to the company, the images were taken around 8:00 a.m. on August 9, about four hours before the attack, and at 4:40 p.m., four hours later.

Russia initially attributed the explosions to an accident, the accidental explosion of ammunition, and admitted that one person was killed. Ukraine denied being responsible for the attack. However, military sources assured some US media yesterday that the explosions were the work of Ukrainian partisans living in Crimea. Already in the afternoon, the Ukrainian military command stated that Russia had lost nine aircraft at the Saki base, which serves as a base for the Russian aircraft responsible for the attacks in the southern part of the country. Although he never admitted that it was a Ukrainian attack, he did celebrate the incident as “a small victory” for Ukraine. Already at night, in his daily video message, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, focused his message on Crimea, saying that the war began there, when Russia annexed it in 2014, and with its “liberation” it should end.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, as well as the Government spokesman, Mijailo Podoliak, refused to confirm the responsibility of the Ukrainian Army and speculated on “negligence”, the “breaking of safety regulations by smoking in the place” and a “partisan attack”. ” as possible causes. Judging by the reactions on Ukrainian social networks, these references are seen as a mockery of the Russian authorities. Podoliak wrote on Twitter that the incident is only the beginning of the demilitarization of the peninsula, which will be turned into a national park with a unique nature, and not a terrorist military base.

The explosions at the Saki base mark the return of a warlike atmosphere to the peninsula for the first time since Russia annexed it more than eight years ago in the spring of 2014.

In the image, taken by Planet Labs satellites, the damage caused by the explosions at the Russian Saki airbase in Crimea can be seen. (AP)