Drone blast rocks HQ of Russia navy
A DRONE strike caused a huge explosion at Russia’s navy HQ in Crimea early yesterday.
Black smoke billowed over Sevastopol following the attack.
Russian officials confirmed the direct hit but said there were no casualties.
It is the latest in a string of mystery raids deep in the peninsula, which was seized from Ukraine by Russia in 2014.
A huge blast at an air base on August 9 is believed to have knocked out half of Russia’s Black Sea naval aviation force.
Satellite images revealed eight warplanes were destroyed.
Last week a string of explosions rocked another military base – blamed by Russia on sabotage.
Ukraine has not admitted it carried out any of the attacks.
But a Western source said: “They [Russia] have lost their flagship Moskva, they lost Snake Island, they lost half of their naval aviation package and their military headquarters was struck.
“I think we can assume attacks by Ukrainians behind enemy lines.” Meanwhile, president Vladimir Putin has said UN officials will be granted permission to visit and inspect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear complex which has been the scene of intense fighting.
The Kremlin made the announcement after a call between
Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Two more ships carrying grain have left Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port, bringing the number to leave Ukraine’s Black Sea ports under a UN grain export deal to 27.