Russian air defenses shot down a drone in northwestern Crimea. The Russian head of the peninsula’s government, Sergei Aksyonov, announced this on Saturday evening. Earlier, a fire broke out at a military unit in Simferopol.
“There was an ordinary house fire in a military unit in Simferopol,” Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the Russian leadership in Crimea, wrote in Telegram on Saturday. The fire has now been localized. However, a video of a large column of black smoke was widely shared on social networks. Neighbors reported hearing the sound of an explosion and shots.
The cause of the fire initially remained unclear. In recent months there have been repeated drone attacks in Crimea, which has been annexed since 2014. The Ukrainian army began taking steps to retake the peninsula last year. According to reports on social networks, many Russians are currently leaving the area.
Sham elections in occupied territories
Russia’s leaders are currently holding regional elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which are marred by allegations of fraud (see video above). As reported, independent observers have noted numerous voting violations in the first few days. The polls are said to be the least free since the beginning of the Vladimir Putin era in Russia 24 years ago.
Since the start of the war, dissidents have been even more suppressed than before. Many opposition figures critical of the government are now in prison camps or have fled abroad. The results of the current elections in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions are not internationally recognized. In the capital Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin of the Kremlin United Russia party is likely to secure a new term in office.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
