Ukraine Forces Revealed As Cause Of Destruction Of Russian Airbase In Crimea: Will Putin Respond?

Daring Ukrainian special forces raid is revealed as cause 'behind explosion at Russian airbase in Crimea' as Zelensky vows to liberate the annexed peninsula while Russians FLEE in huge traffic jams

DAVID AVERRE and TOM PYMAN FOR MAILONLINE

Anonymous Ukrainian official told The Washington Post that his nation's special forces were behind the blasts

The explosions rocked a Russian held military airbase home to fighter jets and freight aircraft yesterday 

Videos and images have emerged of the smouldering wreckage of cars and jets stationed at the base

Other clips meanwhile showed motorways out of Crimea backed up as thousands attempted to flee 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to 'liberate' Crimea from Russian occupation in latest address

But Ukraine has not yet officially accepted responsibility for the incident at the Novofedorivka airbase

Ukraine's special forces were responsible for a series of deadly explosions which destroyed parts of a crucial Russian airbase in Crimea yesterday, killing one and injuring 14 according to a Ukrainian government official. 

Up to ten Russian aircraft were destroyed in the attack, the Ukrainian air force said, which an anonymous official told the Washington Post had been carried out by special forces – despite claims yesterday that long-range missiles could have been used. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile vowed to 'liberate' the peninsula previously part of Ukraine but annexed by Russia in 2014 despite international condemnation.

Zelensky did not directly mention yesterday's explosions, the cause of which has not yet been officially confirmed, but spoke with conviction as he declared: 'Crimea is Ukrainian, and we will never give it up... The Russian war against Ukraine and the whole of free Europe must end with Crimea and its liberation.'

The President's comments come as hordes of Russians seemingly began to fleeing the Crimea in the wake of the explosions which left one dead and 14 injured according to the latest reports.

The blasts rang out around 3:30pm local time yesterday afternoon at the Russian-held Novofedorivka military airbase in Western Crimea, which is located within sight of a popular beach.

Videos circulating yesterday on the Telegram messaging app showed dozens of shocked beachgoers watching trails of smoke snaking from the base before hastily evacuating the shore. 

Other clips showed the charred remains of a Russian fighter jet and the smouldering wreckage of several cars on torn up tarmac destroyed in the devastating blasts. 

More...