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New satellite images released Thursday show the aftermath of an attack that destroyed a Russian air base in Crimea.
Russian officials denied the damage was caused by any attack, claiming three nearly identical craters at Saki Air Base were the result of an “accidental” explosion on Tuesday. Officials claimed the explosion was caused by ammunition stored at the scene.
Russia also denied any aircraft were damaged by the blast, but satellite imagery released by Planet Labs shows that at least eight fighter planes were destroyed.
Witnesses, who posted videos and photos on social media as smoke rose from the base following the explosion, reported “multiple explosions” at the base.
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At least one person was killed, more than a dozen were injured, and at least 62 apartments and 20 commercial buildings were damaged, officials said.
Sergei Akshinov, who was appointed to command the republic of Crimea, which is not recognized by Russia, declared a state of emergency following the explosion.
Ukrainian officials have not claimed responsibility for the attack, nor did they say how it was carried out, according to Reuters. If the attack was carried out by Kyiv, it would show enhanced long-range strike capabilities.
Rebekah Koffler, a former DIA operative and author of “Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America,” has questioned Ukraine’s potential involvement, with Moscow deeming the area as its own territory. He said it would prompt “further escalation” from Russia. .
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“Although we cannot completely rule out the possibility of the Ukrainian resistance detonating in Crimea … a missile attack by Kyiv on Crimea is highly unlikely,” Koffler said. “Ukrainians know that Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, so that would be a red line for President Putin.”
According to The New York Times, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a speech Wednesday night, referring to the loss of nine Russian planes over Crimea and the loss of “another towards Zaporizhia.” I mentioned this attack.
“If you have important information about the enemy, please report it in a safe way to intelligence agencies, the military,” Zelensky said. “If you know anyone who helps the occupiers or justifies an attack, please report this too.”
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The Times wrote that two buildings near the aircraft appeared to be damaged, possibly from “shock wave damage”.
A U.S. official who spoke to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity said on Tuesday that no U.S. weapons were used in the Crimean explosion.