In its daily update, British intelligence takes the pace of the Ukraine war. On Friday morning, they report that Russia’s naval force in the Black Sea will be significantly weakened. The reason is that several attack and fighter planes have been destroyed or have suffered serious damage following explosions on the Crimean peninsula earlier in the week. Satellite images showed extensive damage to the Sakhi air base. Five attack aircraft of the type SU-24 and three fighters of the type SU-30 are to be hit. Satellite images showed extensive damage to the Sakhi base on the Crimean peninsula. Photo: Planet Labs PBC / AP Serious damage Even if the eight aircraft are only a fraction of the total fleet, it will severely affect Russia’s capabilities in the Black Sea, the British believe. Sakhi is the primary base for the aircraft of the Russian Navy in the Black Sea. The airbase is probably still usable, but has suffered serious damage, according to British intelligence. The cause of the explosions is still unclear. Large mushroom clouds in the air after the explosions nevertheless indicate that up to four ammunition stores exploded, the British write. Could be a turning point The Russians claim the explosions were due to an accident. It gives Western analysts little credibility. – Everything indicates that this was inflicted from outside, says lieutenant colonel and head teacher Geir Hågen Karlsen at the Defense Staff School to news. Mushroom clouds after the explosions indicate that several ammunition stores were blown up, British intelligence believes. Photo: STRINGER / Reuters Should it turn out that Ukraine is behind the attacks, there could be a new twist in the war. In that case, it would be the largest Ukrainian attack on the Crimean peninsula. Craters that can be seen on the satellite images also indicate that large and heavy weapons were in use. Karlsen thinks it could be Ukrainian medium-range missiles. Ukraine: – Of course Russia does not say the explosions killed one person and injured five. This will mean that the Russian military will have to reassess the threat situation in Crimea, according to the British. Ukraine nevertheless denies having anything to do with the explosions. To the TV channel Dozhd, the senior adviser to President Zelenskyj, Mykhailo Podoljak, is firm: – Of course not. What do we have to do with this?
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