By Our Special Correspondent
Ukraine said on Wednesday that nine Russian warplanes were destroyed in deadly explosions at an air base in Crimea that appeared to be the result of a Ukrainian attack, signaling a significant escalation in the war.
Russia has denied that any planes were damaged in Tuesday's blasts - or that there was any attack. But satellite photos clearly showed at least seven fighter jets at the base had been blown up and several others damaged.
Ukrainian officials stopped short of publicly claiming responsibility for the blasts, but scoffed at Russia's explanation that careless smoking caused the munitions to ignite and detonate at the Saki air base. Analysts also said the explanation did not make sense and that the Ukrainians could use anti-ship missiles to attack the base.
If Ukrainian forces were indeed responsible for the blasts, it would be the first major attack on a Russian military site on the Crimean peninsula, which the Kremlin seized from Ukraine in 2014. Russian warplanes used Saki to attack the areas. South of Ukraine.
Crimea holds huge strategic and symbolic importance for both sides. The Kremlin's demand that Ukraine recognize Crimea as part of Russia is one of its key conditions for ending the fighting, but Ukraine has vowed to drive the Russians out of the peninsula and all other occupied territories.
Comments