Satellite Images Show Massive Destruction At Russian Military Air Base In Crimea

Satellite images showed at least seven fighter jets on fire and others damaged at an Air Force base.

This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies released on August 11, 2022, shows the aftermath of the reported attack on the Saki airbase at Novofedorivka, Crimea (Source: AFP)

New Delhi: Eight Russian fighter jets were destroyed in a series of powerful explosions at a Russian Air Force base in Crimea, according to newly released satellite images, as reported by Reuters. Russia denied any fighter jets were damaged in Tuesday's blasts and even rejected reports of any attack. At the same time, satellite images showed at least seven fighter jets on fire and others damaged at an Air Force base.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet publicly claimed responsibility for the blasts while questioning Russia's negligence of fire safety regulations for the fire and explosion at Saki Air Base and the prohibition of smoking in unspecified locations.

Incredible amounts of damage at Novofedorivka airbase in Crimea. pic.twitter.com/ymFh7HUxDX

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 9, 2022

"Officially, we are not confirming or denying anything; there are numerous scenarios for what might have happened... bearing in mind that there were several epicenters of explosions at exactly the same time," Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters in a message.

Analysts said that this explanation makes no sense and that Ukraine may have used anti-ship missiles to launch the attack.
  
Russia launched its military offensive in Ukraine in February this year, and if it is indeed an attack by Ukraine, it will be its first major attack on a Russian military base on the Crimean peninsula.

"I'm not an intel analyst, but it doesn't look good," Mark Hertling, a former commander of U.S. ground forces in Europe, wrote on Twitter, linking to an image of the devastation at the Russian base.

"I am. It's very good," replied his fellow retired four-star American general, Michael Hayden, former head of the CIA and National Security Agency spy services.

From Saki itself, Russian warplanes targeted the southern regions of Ukraine. One person was killed while 14 others were injured in the blasts here on Tuesday. Videos of tourists running in panic due to the rise of smoke have surfaced. The video also shows cracks and broken windows in some buildings.

Crimea's regional leader, Sergei Aksyonov, said some 250 people had been accommodated in temporary housing after several buildings were damaged.