After the explosions that occurred yesterday at the Saki airbase on its peninsula Crimea annexed by Russia, local authorities declared a state of emergency in the neighboring region.

Russian-appointed Crimean Governor Sergei Aksyonov said, according to the Interfax news agency, that at least 252 residents of the nearby town of Novofedorovka would be transferred to temporary shelters.

According to Akshimnov, more than 60 residential buildings and 20 commercial stores were damaged as a result of the explosions. He promised the owners of damaged houses compensation in the amount of 10,000-100,000 rubles (158 and 1,580 euros respectively).

“The main goal is the fastest possible restoration of infrastructure, apartment buildings and private houses in a residential area. The main work, which will allow residents to return to their homes, is scheduled to be completed within ten days,” Aksyonov said, adding that the gas supply to the two cities was temporarily turned off.

At least one person died and 14 were injured yesterday as a result of the explosions, according to official figures.

Aksyonov added that an investigation into the causes of the explosions is underway.

Officials in Moscow. they stated that the cause of the explosions was a violation of fire safety regulations.

However, observers believe that the daring attack, which took place very far from the front line and caused powerful explosions, was carried out by the Ukrainians.

This could be the first military strike against targets in Crimea since its annexation by Russia in 2014.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that “several aircraft munitions were fired at the airport” and that “there was no impact of fire on the ammunition storage area at the airport” and no damage to aircraft.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine yesterday commented on the fire at the Saki military airfield in Crimea through Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar.

“The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine cannot determine the cause of the fire, but once again reminds of the fire safety rules and the ban on smoking in places where it is prohibited,” Malyar wrote in her Telegram post. news agency Ukrinform.

However, she stressed that the fact of the fire could be used by a terrorist country in an information war.

“We do not rule out that the conquerors “accidentally” found some characteristic “symbols” or even “DNA”. By the way, please note that cotton clothes are very hygienic,” Mallyar added, advising Ukrainians to remain calm and trust the country’s armed forces.

Ukrainian military expert Pavlo Laikichuk said that powerful munitions such as Iskander and Kinzal rockets exploded at Sheki airport, and that Kyiv theoretically has weapons that can reach the city of Sheki.

The New York Times newspaper, citing anonymous sources in the Ukrainian army, writes that the military air base was attacked by the armed forces of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not mention the bombings in his address yesterday, but made many references to the importance of liberating Crimea from Russian occupation. “This war of Russia against Ukraine and all free Europe began with Crimea and must end with Crimea – its liberation,” President Zelensky said in a statement.

Source: APE-MPE, dpa, Ukrinfrom, Novaya Gazeta.Europe, NYT.