Explosions Rock Russian Air Base in Crimea Amidst Rising Tensions
On Wednesday, before dawn, the Russian air base in Dzhankoi in the north of Crimea was shaken by explosions. Fires broke out, and ammunition detonated. The scale of damage remains unknown.
The explosions were heard around 7:00 AM Greenwich Time. Witnesses claim that the explosions occurred before the sound of air raid sirens could be heard. Videos from the vicinity of the airport quickly appeared online.
Witnesses report that the road to the village of Pobiednoje - near which the Dzhankoi air base in Crimea is located - was blocked by Russian services. Ammunition is still detonating - reported a few hours after the event by the channel Krymskij Weter on Telegram.
Online satellite maps have also appeared, clearly showing the areas around the Dzhankoi base where fires broke out. The scale of destruction and Russian losses is not yet known. There are still no official reports of the strike from the Ukrainian or Russian side.
Dzhankoi air base
An active Russian military airport is located in Dzhankoi. It hosts the 39th Helicopter Regiment from the 27th Mixed Aviation Division of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Command of the Southern Military District. Three aviation squadrons, the Mi-8, Mi-35M, Mi-28, and Ka-52, are also stationed at the airport.
In addition, helicopters from the Border Service of the Federal Security Service are stationed in Dzhankoi. Previously, Russia had deployed additional air defence systems, S-300 and S-400, at the airport.
Source: Ukrainian Pravda/Moscow Times
