By any standard, the series of blasts that struck a key Russian air base in the Crimean peninsula on Tuesday represents a significant escalation in the Ukraine conflict, one that raises questions about Mosow’s ability to defend key bases.
At a time when many Russians remain oblivious to the deadly carnage being wrought by the six-month-long conflict, the image of thick plumes of smoke rising from Russia’s Novofedorivka air base near the Black Sea resort of Saky was witnessed by crowds of holiday makers sunning themselves on the nearby beaches.
While the precise cause of the blasts has still to be confirmed, there is mounting speculation that the base was subjected to a skillfully executed Ukrainian attack, while the Kremlin insists that it was the result of a munitions dump exploding.
Either way, once the dust had settled, satellite images showed that the base had been severely hit, with large areas of the airfield suffering extensive damage and a significant number of Russian warplanes knocked out of action.
The fact that a major Russian air base, used to provide vital air cover for its forces, has suffered such extensive damage inevitably raises suspicions that the attack was the work of the Ukrainian military.
A Ukrainian attack inside Crimea demonstrates a growing sense of confidence among Ukrainian commanders
Kyiv was not slow to exploit the propaganda benefits of the incident, with its air force claiming that at least nine warplanes had been destroyed. "Saky! Minus nine aircraft of the invaders," the Air Force Command wrote on Facebook. Crimea’s Health Department said that one person was killed and six others injured in the explosions.
And while Ukrainian officials have been reluctant to claim responsibility, fearing that it might provoke a significant Russian response, Kyiv has made it abundantly clear that it regards Russian bases in Crimea, which Moscow occupied and annexed in 2014, as being legitimate targets.
In his nightly address just hours after the explosions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted his country’s ultimate ambition was to retake the peninsula. “This Russian war against Ukraine and against all of free Europe began with Crimea and must end with Crimea – its liberation,” he said. "We will never give it up … the Black Sea region cannot be safe while Crimea is occupied."
While Kyiv might be reluctant to confirm its role in the devastation, all the indications suggest it was the result of a carefully executed operation by its military. Initial reports claimed the damage had been caused by a series of long-range missile strikes carried out after Kyiv had taken delivery of its latest batch of sophisticated western weaponry.
An anonymous government official also told The Washington Post that the attack had been carried out by an elite team of special forces operating deep behind enemy lines. The official declined to share details on how the raid was conducted.
Moscow’s insistence that the explosions at the base were the result of an accident was quickly dismissed by western leaders. “That air force base has been used by [the] Russian air force to bomb Ukrainian targets,” British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said. “It’s absolutely legitimate for Ukraine to take lethal force, if necessary, but take force in order to regain not only its territory, but also to push back its invader.”
Mr Wallace was speaking as Britain announced it was increasing its military aid to Ukraine by sending it more of its M270 multiple-launch rocket systems. This month, the US announced it was sending an extra $1 billion worth of military equipment, including America’s High Mobility Rocket System (Himars), which have a longer range than Russian missile systems, and have enabled the Ukrainians to thwart Russia’s attempts to seize control of territory to the south and east of the country.
With the help of this sophisticated weaponry, the Ukrainian military has not only frustrated the Russian advance in the Donbas region, but also put itself in a position to launch an offensive to recapture the strategically important city of Kherson on the Dnipro River.
Moreover, if it transpires that Ukraine did carry out the Saky attack, it would represent a significant intensification in Kyiv's war-fighting capabilities.
To date, it has confined its efforts primarily to defending Ukrainian territory, hitting Russian positions close to its border with the aim of disrupting Moscow's war effort. By contrast, the Russians have regularly launched cruise missiles deep inside Ukraine – including on Kyiv – in a bid to disrupt its military operations and weaken its morale.
An Ukrainian attack inside Crimea, however, is an entirely different proposition. It demonstrates both a growing sense of confidence among Ukrainian commanders, as well as a willingness to extend the fighting deep into Russian-controlled territory.
The extensive damage to Saky could have an impact on Moscow’s ability to defend Kherson, widely seen as the gateway to the Crimea, which was captured by Russian forces in the early days of the war, and whose recapture now appears to be one of Kyiv’s main priorities.
But while the Ukrainians believe the tide of the conflict is beginning to turn in their favour, Moscow seems in no mood to give up on its quest to defeat Ukraine, especially on the sensitive issue of Crimea.
Only weeks ago, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now serving as deputy national security adviser, promised to unleash “judgment day” if Ukraine ever attacked Crimea. So if Kyiv really did carry out the Saky attack, it should prepare itself for a significant Russian response.
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
