VIDEO - Ukraine: several explosions near a Russian military airfield in Crimea

Europe 1 with AFP 4:45 p.m., August 9, 2022

Several explosions occurred on Tuesday near a Russian military airfield in western Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia, with Russian authorities saying they caused no casualties and were caused by the explosion of ammunition.

Videos posted on social media showed a ball of fire forming after a loud explosion, while thick billows of black smoke rose into the sky.

Ukraine: Russian sources report a series of explosions in the village of Novofedorivka, in Crimea occupied by the Russian army.

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— Rebecca Rambar (@RebeccaRambar) August 9, 2022

No injuries in the explosion

"Several munitions intended for aviation exploded in a depot located on the territory of the Saki military airfield, near the town of Novofyodorovka," the Russian army said in a statement.

The depot in question was not the target of any shooting or bombardment, she added, without however specifying the origin of these explosions.

"No one was injured in the explosion," according to the same source.

Shortly before, the local authorities had announced that "several explosions" had occurred near the military airfield, without explaining the cause.

Crimea, a peninsula of Ukraine annexed by Moscow in 2014, has been on the front line of Russia's military offensive against its Ukrainian neighbor since the end of February.

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Russian planes take off almost daily from Crimea to strike targets in regions under the control of kyiv and several areas of this peninsula are located within the range of Ukrainian guns and drones.

Despite the conflict, Crimea has remained an important vacation spot for many Russians who continue to enjoy summer on its beaches.

"Tourists are not in danger. We ask you to keep calm," said a Russian deputy elected in Crimea, Alexei Tcherniak.