A series of large explosions went off in the area of a Russian military airbase in the annexed Ukrainian territory of Crimea on Tuesday, with footage from the scene showing large plumes of smoke billowing into the air.
Russian state media RIA Novosti reported that the blasts had been caused by detonated aviation ammunition.
The ministry said around 3: 20 p.m. several aviation munitions were detonated on the territory of the airfield Saki' near the settlement of Novofedorivka.
According to the health ministry of the region, ambulance crews and an air ambulance were sent to the site of the explosions.
Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the head of the Crimean region - Russia annexed Ukraine in 2014 - confirmed several explosions had occurred near Novofedorivka village.
On his Telegram channel, Kryuchkov said: "I have only confirmed the fact of several explosions in the Novofedorivka area. I ask everyone to wait for official messages. Sergey Aksenov, the head of the so-called Republic of Crimea, said I went to the scene in Novofedorivka village of Saki district. The circumstances are being clarified. There was no word from the Ukrainian side about any possible attacks in the area. Ukraine is not known to have struck the territory of Crimea since the Russian invasion began.