Russian cruise missiles destroyed in explosion in Crimea

Russian Kalibr cruise missiles have been destroyed in an explosion in the Crimean city of Dzhankoi late on Monday (20 March). According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, they were being transported by rail at the time of the explosion.

As has become standard, Ukrainian authorities confirmed the explosions in Dzhankoi, located in the north of the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula, but they did not claim an attack.

"The [explosions] continue the process of Russia's demilitarisation and prepares the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea for de-occupation," the Ukrainian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Sergei Aksenov, the head of Moscow-installed proxies in Crimea, said that Russian air defense had been working in Dzhankoi, saying that the wreckage injured one person and damaged a household and a shop. Meanwhile Igor Ivin, the head of the occupying administration in Dzhankoi, reported a drone attack.

The Kalibr missiles which have reportedly been destroyed in the explosion are designed to be launched from surface ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russian troops have regularly used Kalibr missiles to carry out attacks against Ukraine. Kalibr missiles can hit a land target more than 2,500 thousand kilometers away and reach a sea target from a distance of over 375 kilometers, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: UK Defence Journal

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Mystery surrounds the crash of a Turkish airline in Georgia which resulted in the death of 20 Turkish Airforce personnel

Mystery surrounds the crash of a Turkish airline in Georgia which resulted in the death of 20 Turkish Airforce personnel

​ Twenty Turkish Airforce personnel died when a military plane crushed on the Georgian side of the Azerbaijan - Georgia border on Tuesday (11 November). The C130 took off from Ganja and was heading to Merzifon, transporting service members that had participated in Azerbaijan's Victory Day celebrations. Half an hour after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and broke apart in mid-air over a mountainous area on the Georgian border. Lockheed C130 Hercules have been in service with Turkey since the 1960s and are considered among the most reliable in their class. However, some of these aircraft are 50–60 years old. In October, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced plans to replace them with new C130J Super Hercules models, with deliveries expected to begin in the coming years. All aircraft fragments have already been collected for technical examination. The cause of the crash has not yet been officially determined. A Turkish expert and retired military officer Coşkun Başbuğ noted on CNN Türk, a technical malfunction "should be ruled out" as the cause of the crash. "Various possibilities should be considered, but the first thing to consider is that the C-130 is a time-tested military transport aircraft, the last known incident involving which occurred in 1982." "A technical malfunction should be ruled out as the cause of the crash. The same applies to weather conditions, as the relevant authorities would have reported bad weather. The remaining theories include a mid-air collision, sabotage, or an attack," he emphasized. Former Turkish Armed Forces Logistics Commander and retired Army General Erdoğan Karakuş stated in an interview with Turkish television that although the C-130 aircraft are old, they have undergone a complete modernization in Turkey, and their technical condition is thoroughly inspected before each flight. The Turkish Air Force is expected to operate the C-130 aircraft until 2040. ​

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Mystery surrounds the crash of a Turkish airline in Georgia which resulted in the death of 20 Turkish Airforce personnel

Mystery surrounds the crash of a Turkish airline in Georgia which resulted in the death of 20 Turkish Airforce personnel

​ Twenty Turkish Airforce personnel died when a military plane crushed on the Georgian side of the Azerbaijan - Georgia border on Tuesday (11 November). The C130 took off from Ganja and was heading to Merzifon, transporting service members that had participated in Azerbaijan's Victory Day celebrations. Half an hour after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and broke apart in mid-air over a mountainous area on the Georgian border. Lockheed C130 Hercules have been in service with Turkey since the 1960s and are considered among the most reliable in their class. However, some of these aircraft are 50–60 years old. In October, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced plans to replace them with new C130J Super Hercules models, with deliveries expected to begin in the coming years. All aircraft fragments have already been collected for technical examination. The cause of the crash has not yet been officially determined. A Turkish expert and retired military officer Coşkun Başbuğ noted on CNN Türk, a technical malfunction "should be ruled out" as the cause of the crash. "Various possibilities should be considered, but the first thing to consider is that the C-130 is a time-tested military transport aircraft, the last known incident involving which occurred in 1982." "A technical malfunction should be ruled out as the cause of the crash. The same applies to weather conditions, as the relevant authorities would have reported bad weather. The remaining theories include a mid-air collision, sabotage, or an attack," he emphasized. Former Turkish Armed Forces Logistics Commander and retired Army General Erdoğan Karakuş stated in an interview with Turkish television that although the C-130 aircraft are old, they have undergone a complete modernization in Turkey, and their technical condition is thoroughly inspected before each flight. The Turkish Air Force is expected to operate the C-130 aircraft until 2040. ​