One dead, 14 injured and mass panic in Crimea: Authorities have declared a state of emergency after the massive explosions at a Russian military base on the Russian-annexed Black Sea peninsula. Fearing possible further attacks, numerous Russian tourists and Russian citizens who have settled there since its annexation in 2014 have fled Crimea.
Videos appeared on social media showing miles of cars driving towards mainland Russia. In one of the videos released by Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, a Russian woman says in tears: “I really don’t want to leave Crimea. It’s so beautiful here. I’m used to it. It’s like being at home here.”
For the second time this summer, holidaymakers on the Black Sea were torn from their beach rest. Authorities say a Ukrainian drone struck the Russian Black Sea fleet in the port city of Sevastopol on July 31. There were also wounded. Both incidents now raise questions among Russian observers about how well the heavily armed peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014, is actually protected. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin has repeatedly announced that the security of Crimea needs to be further strengthened.
Tense situation in Russian border regions
Other Russian regions in the border area with Ukraine also report an extremely tense situation after alleged attacks from the neighboring country. The governors of Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod complain of injuries and heavy destruction. But so far Russia has not followed through on its threats to bomb command centers in Kiev if the shelling does not stop.
It is not possible to independently verify who exactly carried out the attacks. Also in Ukraine, it is pointed out that Russia could stage them itself to create a pretext for new blows. What is clear, however, is that the new case of explosions is also damaging Russia’s image as a guarantor of security in Crimea.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
