An estimated nine or more
Russian warplanes appear to have been damaged or destroyed in the recent attack
on Saky airbase in Crimea, according to newly released satellite images, in
contrast to Russian claims that none were damaged.
The vivid aerial photographs
show charred remains of combat aircraft amid large areas of scorched earth, as
evidence of the attack that took place on Tuesday afternoon more than 110 miles
from the frontline.
Ukraine’s air force said
at least nine Russian aircraft were destroyed on the ground at the
airbase. Russia has said the attack killed one person, wounded 14 and damaged
dozens of nearby houses.
Independent analysts at Oryx
Research said at least 11 Russian jets – four Su-30SMs and seven Su-24s – were
destroyed, based on analysis of the imagery released by satellite companies and
Ukraine’s air force.
Kyiv has not publicly claimed
responsibility for the attack – although it is doing so in private – while an
adviser to the president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, suggested partisans operating
behind Russian lines might have been involved.
Unless they want an
unpleasantly hot summer break, we advise our valued Russian guests not to visit
Ukrainian Crimea.
Because no amount of sunscreen will protect them from the hazardous effects of
smoking in unauthorized areas. But the country’s defence ministry tweeted out a
video reveling in the attack and telling Russian tourists it was not safe to
holiday in Crimea.
“No amount of sunscreen will
protect them from the hazardous effects of smoking in unauthorized areas,” the
ministry said, a standard phrase when referring to attacks for which Ukraine
does not want to formally take responsibility. Oleh Zhdanov, an independent
Ukrainian military analyst, said: “Official Kyiv has kept mum about it, but
unofficially the military acknowledges that it was a Ukrainian strike.”
