"There were no hits": Russia denies explosions at Crimean airfield

The Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council reported this on Telegram.

The Russian Ministry of Defense "explains" that the explosions at the Novofedorivka airfield in Crimea were caused by the detonation of several aviation munitions due to the ignition of a fuel tank.

Russians and residents of the temporarily occupied territories are assured that no one was injured as a result of the explosions, and the equipment at the airfield was not damaged.

Later on, Russia published information about one dead, 13 injured, as well as damage to private homes and cars.

"They denied panic among Russian vacationers and traffic jams in the direction of the Kerch bridge. They said that vacations continued, tourists were not injured, beach cafes and rental points were working", the intelligence agency added.

The Main Directorate of Intelligence explains that Russia spreads fake information due to the confusion of the Russian leadership: "To announce a missile strike or sabotage from the side of Ukraine means to recognize the unsuitability of its own air defense system and special services. As in the case of the sunken cruiser Moscow. 

• On August 9, explosions occurred in the Crimea near the Russian air base in Novofedorivka, and the evacuation of residents in the Saky district began on the peninsula. Locals reported a large number of ambulances heading to Novofedorivka from Yevpatoria. Witnesses heard a series of explosions, similar to the detonation of ammunition.
• The Institute for the Study of War stated that the Kremlin does not blame Ukraine for the strikes on the airfield in Novofedorivka in Crimea, because this would indicate the inefficiency of Russian air defense systems.
• A source in the Ukrainian government confirmed that Ukraine launched an attack on the Russian airfield in Novofedorivka, in occupied Crimea.
• Ukraine's Ministry of Defense commented on the fire at the airfield in Crimea: "We remind you about the ban on smoking in unspecified places".
• In his evening address on August 9, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russian war against Ukraine began with Crimea and should end with Crimea.
• The Wall Street Journal wrote on August 9 that the explosions in Crimea bring the war closer to the Russians' home. 
• Mykhailo Podolyak, the adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, commenting on the shelling of the air base in Crimea, wrote: "Everything is just beginning".
• The New York Times, citing its own sources, suggested that Ukrainian-made weapons could have been used for the attack on Crimea.
• The US supports Ukraine's efforts to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.