New satellite images appeared to show that at least seven fighter planes at a Russian base in Crimea had blown up, despite Russian claims that no aircraft were damaged in explosions this week.
The images released Wednesday by Planet Labs PBC, a U.S. Earth imaging company, also showed charred grassland and several craters near the tarmac.
The Ukrainian air force said Wednesday that nine Russian warplanes were destroyed Tuesday in multiple massive explosions that also killed one person and wounded 14 others. Russia sought to downplay the blasts and said several munitions at the base caught fire and blew up.
But Oleksiy Arestovych, Ukrainian presidential adviser, said that the explosions were either caused by Ukrainian-made long-range weapons or by Ukrainian guerrillas operating in Crimea. Ukraine has stopped short of publicly claiming responsibility for the explosions, which also knocked out windows, damaged nearby apartment buildings and sent tourists fleeing.
Latest developments:
►Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who was fined three times for criticizing the war in Ukraine, has now been detained and faces 10 years in prison if convicted, her lawyer said. Ovsyannikova’s home was raided and she was taken for questioning Wednesday.
►The European Union's ban on Russian coal imports went into effect Thursday as part of the fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia. A British defense intelligence update said "the increasing effect of Western sanctions" have significantly strained Russia's military indusrial complex.
►McDonald's will begin reopening restaurants in Ukraine in the coming months after the restaurant chain closed its 109 Ukrainian locations after the Russian invasion. The company has continued to pay its over 10,000 employees in Ukraine.
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GRAPHICS:Mapping and tracking Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Zelenskyy calls on Western nations for more aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday urged Western nations to provide more money and support to troops fighting in Ukraine. In an address at a donor conference held in Denmark, he asked for more "armaments, munitions for our defense."
The sooner we stop Russia, the sooner we can feel safe,” Zelenskyy said.
Fighter planes are especially needed, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told reporters Thursday.
Meanwhile, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced Britain will send more multiple launch rocket systems and guided missiles. Ahead of the conference, the Danish government said it would give Ukraine an extra $113 million.
Concerns soar over fighting near Ukrainian nuclear plant
Fighting around a Ukrainian nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, has stoked fears of an international nuclear disaster, and global leaders are voicing concerns.
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