Explosions at Crimea Air Base. Military airfield on fire
Before dawn on Wednesday, explosions rocked the air base in Dzhankoi, Crimea, causing fires and setting off ammunition. The extent of the damage is still unclear.
7:54 AM EDT, April 17, 2024
The blasts occurred around 2:00 AM Eastern Time before air raid sirens were heard, according to witnesses. Videos from near the airport surfaced online shortly after.
The road to the village of Pobiednoje, close to where the Dzhankoi air base is situated, was blocked by Russian services. A few hours later, reports came in that ammunition was still exploding, according to the Krymskij Weter channel on Telegram.
Satellite imagery online has revealed the areas around the Dzhankoi base where fires erupted. The full extent of the destruction and Russian casualties has yet to be determined, with no official statements from either Ukraine or Russia as of now.
About Dzhankoi Air Base
Dzhankoi hosts an active Russian military airport, home to the 39th Helicopter Regiment from the 27th Mixed Aviation Division of the 4th Air Force and Air Defense Command of the Southern Military District. The base accommodates three aviation squadrons with Mi-8, Mi-35M, Mi-28, and Ka-52 helicopters.
Additionally, helicopters from the Border Service of the Federal Security Service are based in Dzhankoi. Russia had previously deployed S-300 and S-400 air defense systems at the airport.
Source: Ukrainian Pravda/Moscow Times
