A powerful explosion occurred at the Hvardiiske military air base in Crimea.

Local residents reported on this.

It happened around 2:00 p.m., after which residents of neighboring villages noticed smoke rising from the territory of the Hvardiiske military air base.

According to some sources, combat aircraft were at the airfield at the time of the explosion. There is a high probability that the unit’s aviation personnel suffered losses.

The 37th Composite Aviation Regiment of Russian Aerospace Forces is stationed at Hvardiiske military air base, equipped with Su-24M frontline bombers and Su-25 attack aircraft.

Prior to the explosion at the airfield, local media reported an air raid alert and the operation of the Russian Air Defense on the peninsula.

In addition, according to them, all 12 aircraft flying toward the peninsula were intercepted. They note that the strike was carried out by a combined launch of ADM-160 MALD decoy missiles and French-British Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

According to their information, a few hours before the strike, an US RQ-4B Global Hawk remotely-piloted surveillance aircraft and a P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft flew near the peninsula.

Additionally, there were reports of explosions at the Saki military airfield, where Russian aircraft are also based.

The Saki military air base has been repeatedly attacked by Ukrainian Forces, as it is a strategically important Russian facility, where, in addition to aviation, there is a training facility for operators of Iranian Mojaher UAVs.

As Militarnyi previously reported, the Ukrainian troops hit the command post at the Saki military air base in Novofedorivka in occupied Crimea.

The Commander of the Air Force also added a photo that probably shows the invaders’ command post at the air base.

On January 6, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the launch of Ukrainian guided missiles at targets in Crimea.