Skip to main content

Over 3,000 Crimeans evacuated after explosions Russia blames on ‘sabotage’

RUSSIA was forced to evacuate over 3,000 people after explosions caused an inferno at an ammunition depot in Crimea today.

Russian authorities blamed the explosions on sabotage, but speculation is growing that — alongside an attack on a Crimean airbase that destroyed nine Russian war planes last week — Ukraine is succeeding in destroying military targets within territory held by Russia before it invaded its neighbour in February.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attacks, which could be seen as a major escalation, striking Russian forces beyond existing combat zones. But a Ukrainian Ministry of Defence video posted on social media last week implied it was behind the attacks, showing footage of Russian holidaymakers fleeing beaches after the airbase strike.

The video, designed in mockery of a tourism advert, has a voiceover telling Russians they had various holiday options and adding: “You chose Crimea: big mistake” before cutting to the explosion footage. “Crimea is Ukraine,” it ends.

Though the peninsula is internationally recognised as Ukrainian territory in line with an internal Soviet border revision in the 1960s, its residents overwhelmingly identify as Russian and voted to become part of Russia in 2014, after Russia occupied it in response to the “Maidan” coup in Kiev.

Brazil’s presidential frontrunner Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva said today that the Brics group of major developing countries should broker a peace deal in Ukraine.

Lula was meeting diplomatic representatives of the group — which besides Brazil incorporates Russia, India, China and South Africa — to discuss changes to Brazilian foreign policy if he wins.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today