The blasts hit an arms store at a Russian military base in the north of Crimea, disrupting trains and forcing 2,000 people to be evacuated from a nearby village, the Reuters news agency reported, citing Russian officials.
Later in the day, plumes of smoke were seen at a second Russian military base in central Crimea, according to Russia's Kommersant newspaper.
The explosions came after a string of blasts hit another Russian facility in western Crimea last week, destroying at least nine Russian warplanes, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Ukraine able to strike deep inside Russian territory?
The blasts raised the possibility of a change in the dynamic of the war, if Ukraine now has the ability to strike deeper into Russian territory or if pro-Ukrainian groups are having success with guerrilla-style attacks, according to Reuters.
Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been used by the Kremlin to reinforce its forces fighting in other areas of Ukraine with military equipment, a mechanism Kyiv is keen to disrupt ahead of its potential counter-attack in southern Ukraine, the news agency said.
Crimea also houses Russia's Black Sea Fleet, as well as being a popular summer holiday resort, news outlets noted.
‘Demilitarisation in action’
Ukraine has not officially confirmed or denied responsibility for explosions in Crimea, although its officials have openly cheered the blasts.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, described the latest incident as "demilitarisation in action," suggesting that the explosions were not accidental.
Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram: "Operation 'demilitarisation' in the precise style of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue until the complete de-occupation of Ukraine's territories.”
He added: “Our soldiers are the best sponsors of a good mood."
Meanwhile, Russia's defence ministry said the blasts at the ammunition depot were "a result of sabotage."
The explosions also caused an electricity substation to catch fire, according to Russian state television.
Russia's RIA news agency said seven trains were delayed and rail traffic on a part of the line in northern Crimea had been suspended.
Meanwhile, last week’s blasts at the Russian air base at Saky had "significantly degraded" the aviation capability of the Russian navy's Black Sea fleet, the UK Ministry of Defence assessed.
Tuesday was day 174 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, bbc.com