In Crimea, the council overseeing ministerial matters reported preliminary damage estimates at 200 million rubles, with the final tally to be determined by a dedicated special commission.
Damage assessment teams are already on the ground, compiling victim lists and reviewing each application under the supervision of officials. The president confirmed that sixty-two tall buildings, twenty commercial facilities, and several dozen private residences sustained damage. The most common issues include broken windows and damaged balcony and door glazing, with dozens of vehicles either damaged or destroyed.
The restoration of affected homes will start as soon as investigators from the Investigative Committee of Russia have completed their scene work. Funds for repairs are expected to come from the reserve fund, and compensation ranges from ten thousand to one hundred thousand rubles depending on the level of damage.
Authorities aim to restore the Novofedorovka area within ten days and plan a large community cleanup event on Thursday. The death toll remains one, with fourteen individuals seeking medical care for injuries described as mostly minor.
The Saki airfield hosts long-range military transport and naval aviation units. It also houses a training complex called Nitka for carrier-based aircraft operations. Since 2014, the 43rd Marine Strike Aviation Regiment of the Black Sea Fleet has been stationed there. The site features two runways, one in regular use and one as a backup.
What happened
On August 9, at about 4 p.m., a series of powerful explosions struck the territory of the Saki military airfield in the resort village of Novofedorovka. A judicial inquiry has been opened to examine the incident. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a large quantity of aircraft ammunition detonated on site, while aircraft equipment remained unaffected.
Earlier official statements suggested the explosions were caused by a violation of fire safety regulations, with no evidence indicating deliberate actions to undermine ordnance.
Following the blasts, tourists began leaving the village and surrounding resort areas by car, and local residents were evacuated from nearby homes. By August 10, a total of 252 people had been placed in temporary accommodation in two dormitories at a neighboring agricultural college. The Republic of Crimea’s Ministry of Tourism reported that the resort’s tourism infrastructure remained operational, with beaches in the western part of the peninsula continuing to meet safety standards and service needs. Cafes and rental properties in Novofedorovka were still functioning.
Aims and responses from Kyiv
On August 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation stating that Ukraine intends to regain control over Crimea. He described the peninsula as historically one of Europe’s premier destinations and warned that Russia has turned it into a dangerous area. Zelensky asserted that the conflict should start where it began, in Crimea, and reiterated that Kyiv would not abandon the peninsula. This message appeared on the Ukrainian president’s social media page.
Reports from The Washington Post cited an unnamed Ukrainian official suggesting that Ukrainian special forces could have been involved in the Novofedorovka explosions. The Kyiv authorities declined to provide further details. The Ukrainian Air Force acknowledged the explosions but did not claim responsibility. The Post noted that such an action by Ukraine would mark a significant escalation in hostilities.
About Saki airport
The Saki military airport serves as a base for the air power of the Ministry of Defense, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and naval aviation. It also hosts a ground training complex for naval aircraft takeoff and landing practice, one of only a few such simulators worldwide. The aerodrome features an artificial ship-deck-like runway with a striker and launch supports.
Since 2014, the 43rd Separate Naval Strike Aviation Regiment, operating Su-24M aircraft, has been stationed at the facility.
Sources and attribution: official statements and subsequent reporting indicate the above sequence of events and institutional responses.