The explosions that took place on Tuesday at a weapons depot at a Russian military base in the annexed Crimean peninsula are the work of Ukrainian special forces . A senior Ukrainian official revealed this to The New York Times. Last week’s attack on a military airport in Crimea was also carried out by special forces in collaboration with local resistance fighters.
On Tuesday morning, a fire broke out in the weapons depot, which led to the explosion of ammunition. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, not only the ammunition storage area was damaged, but also power lines, railway lines, power plants and residential buildings. At least 2,000 residents are said to have been evacuated. Two civilians were said to have been injured.
A senior Ukrainian official – who discussed the operation with The New York Times on condition of anonymity – said a Ukrainian special military unit operating behind enemy lines was responsible for the blast. The Russian army said in a statement that the explosions were caused by an “act of sabotage”. The Russian army, however, left in its statement who would be behind the “sabotage”.
Last week there were already several explosions at a military airport in Crimea. One person was killed and at least eight combat aircraft were damaged. That attack was carried out in part by special forces working with local resistance fighters, according to a Ukrainian official.
inventiveness
The suspected Ukrainian attacks this month, involving special forces behind enemy lines, underline the ingenuity of the Ukrainian armed forces as they face a much larger and better equipped Russian army.
Although Ukrainian leaders did not publicly claim responsibility for the attacks, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the explosions had taken place. The adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, also seemed to allude to Ukrainian involvement at the time.
Crimea, a peninsula in Ukraine that was annexed by Moscow in 2014, has been on the frontline since the Russian invasion. Russian planes take off almost daily to attack targets in areas controlled by Kiev. Until this month, Crimea seemed well protected from Ukrainian attacks. Even Ukraine’s most advanced weapon systems do not have the range to hit Russian military targets there, and Ukrainian military aircraft are unable to get through Russian air defenses on the peninsula.
Ukraine destroys secret headquarters of Russian paramilitaries after they pose for photo showing street name
The mystery of Crimea: how could Russian air base be so badly hit? These are the scenarios (+)
ANALYSIS. Ukraine’s biggest win? That the Russians now also have to fear them in Crimea (+)
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss out on any of the stars.