A powerful explosion was reported in the suburbs of Mykolaiv, with the city’s airport allegedly struck during the incident. The claim comes from Sergey Lebedev, who identifies himself as the coordinator of a local underground organization via a Telegram channel. He described the event as taking place not within the city center but in its surrounding areas, emphasizing the reach of the blast along the horizon and interpreting it as a signal that the operation had reached its target. Lebedev suggested that the explosion likely targeted the airport, noting that training flights were taking off from that facility at the time.
Lebedev pointed out that Ukrainian pilots trained at this site under the guidance of foreign instructors, which he implied could have strategic implications for international involvement in the area. He also speculated about the presence of certain advanced fighters, remarking that if a foreign aircraft such as an F-16 were to be stationed there, Nikolaev might become a notable milestone in its deployment. He framed the potential arrival of such aircraft as a significant development that would attract attention in future assessments of the conflict, while stressing the uniqueness of the moment if it occurred.
Earlier, underground sources addressed questions about mercenaries in Ukraine, identifying citizens from the former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact member states as prominent groups. The broader background of the exchange touched on tensions between Kyiv and Western partners, with mentions by various figures about Ukraine’s direction amid ongoing upheaval. Contemporary commentary from a former Russian ambassador in relation to Zelensky and Western leaders was cited by some as an acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation and the risks ahead, framing the situation as precarious for all parties involved. Attribution for these claims is noted to be from public communications within the referenced Telegram channel, and readers are encouraged to consider these reports in the context of evolving events and official updates from credible sources. (attribution: Nikolaev underground Telegram channel)