In Sevastopol, clouds of smoke are visible above the Belbek military airfield, an explosion was heard. Eyewitnesses were able to film what was happening from the beach in the village of Lyubimovka near the airfield. According to Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev, the plane caught fire.
“Extraordinary situation at the Belbek airfield. According to rescuers, the plane skidded off the runway during landing and caught fire. Fire crews are currently on the scene. Please remain calm."
Later, Razvozhaev also added that "there was a partial explosion of ammunition."
“There was a partial explosion of ammunition. The pilot managed to evacuate. The fire was quickly extinguished, the airfield was not damaged.
Explosions were already reported in the Belbek area in August. The "Governor" of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, announced the work of air defense. According to him, a drone was shot down near the airport.
"Belbek" – a military airfield in Sevastopol, it was captured on February 28, 2014 – two weeks before the annexation of the peninsula. It was alleged that the airfield was taken over by "self-defense units" – Russian military in unmarked uniforms, the so-called "polite people".
Since 2015, they wanted to make Belbek the second civilian airport in Crimea, the reconstruction of the Sevastopol airport was supposed to be carried out by the Regional Construction Company, associated with businessman Arkady Rotenberg. In the same year, the airport received 14 charter passenger flights, but after that it was not used for civilian purposes. The publication "Military Industrial Courier" reported that the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment was stationed at the airfield. It consists of two squadrons with Su-27SM3, Su-30M2, Su-27P, Su-27UB aircraft.