According to eyewitnesses, at least 12 explosions were heard around 4:30 pm, Reports Reuters news agency. Several video images show explosions and large plumes of smoke, allegedly in or around the base occupied by the Russian military.

Pictures circulating on social media show swimmers fleeing the beach in a hurry.

Attack or not?

Local authorities reported one death and five injuries. The Russian Defense Ministry says the attack was not one from Ukraine, but claims that the munition exploded by mistake. But a Ukrainian official says to the American newspaper New York times The explosions are already the result of such an attack.

The airport is located near the city of Novedorivka on the western coast of the Black Sea Peninsula. Crimea has been in the hands of Russia since the spring of 2014, which started the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Holy Land for Putin

A Ukrainian attack on Russian forces in Crimea would be a brilliant step in that war. After the 2014 annexation, the last Ukrainian military forces withdrew from the peninsula and Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is stationed around Crimea, which Russian President Putin considers a “holy land”.

Since then, Ukraine has had few weapons with access to Crimea. Also, since the Russian invasion that began on February 24, there have been no major battles or bombings in Crimea.