Bulletlets blast in Crimea prompts evacuation

The ammunition detonated due to a fire at the site, according to the Defense Ministry.

Residents of the village of Mayskoye in Crimea were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday after strong explosions nearby. The Defense Ministry said the blasts took place at a temporary ammunition depot operated by the Russian military.

The village is located in the Dzhankoy Region in northeastern Crimea and has around 2,000 residents, according to its administration.

Images on social media purportedly taken at the moment of the incident show a massive ball of fire rising into the air.

The ammunition detonated due to a fire at the site, according to the Defense Ministry. It reported no serious injuries and said its causes were being investigated.

The head of the Republic of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said he was going to Mayskoye to investigate the situation on the ground.

According to preliminary reports, two civilians were injured in the village, adding that their lives are not in danger.

Residents are being taken at least 5 km away from Mayskoye due to the risks posed by the continuing detonations at the military site, Aksyonov said.

The Russian military in Crimea has suffered a second incident in as many weeks. Last Tuesday, powerful explosions rocked the western part of the peninsula after ammo detonated at a military base near Novofedorovka.