Satellite images of the aftermath of deadly explosions at a Russian air base in Crimea show that several warplanes were destroyed in the blast, and the base sustained heavy damage.
A satellite image taken on Wednesday by Planet Labs shows significant damage at the Saky air base, where witnesses heard several explosions on Tuesday as mushroomlike clouds of smoke billowed into the air. The images show at least seven warplanes destroyed at the base and others that appear to be damaged. Several craters are also visible, as well as scorched grass from the fires created by the blasts. Russian officials denied that planes were destroyed in the blasts.
EXPLOSIONS ROCK RUSSIAN AIRBASE IN CRIMEA
“In just one day, the occupiers lost 10 combat aircraft: nine in Crimea and one more in the direction of Zaporizhzhia,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address on Wednesday, confirming the loss of several Russian fighter planes at the Saky base.
Several Ukrainian officials have commented on the blasts but have stopped short of claiming responsibility for the explosions.
At least one person was killed and 14 were injured in the blasts near the town of Novofedorivka on the western coast of the Crimean Peninsula, according to Russian officials.
Russian authorities have tried to downplay the explosions, saying on Wednesday that all hotels and beaches in the nearby seaside resorts were unaffected. However, video posted on social media showed long lines of cars leaving the area a day after the explosions.
24 hours later, still traffic jam to leave Crimea pic.twitter.com/NkLnQ630dK
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) August 10, 2022
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If Ukrainian forces were involved in an attack on the base, it would be the first known major attack on a Russian military base on the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
