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Russia was hit with a wave of new explosions just hours after Vladimir Putin welcomed North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un into the country.
An air defence complex was suspected to have been struck in annexed Crimea as locals reported seeing kamikaze drones.
In the Saratov region, a huge explosion on a major gas pipeline sent flames shooting into the sky.
The cause of this giant blast was not immediately clear, but Russia has faced a rising number of drone attacks, including in Moscow.
In the Black Sea, Russia’s defence ministry claimed its forces had repelled a concerted attack by five kamikaze marine drones on patrol ship Sergei Kotov.
The ship had used its weapons to destroy the sea drones, according to Russian sources.
Three aircraft-type aerial drones were downed in the Bryanak region close to the Ukrainian border, say the Moscow authorities.
The explosions came the day after Vladimir Putin met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to seek ammunition for his war against Ukraine.
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Details of any supplies have not been made public.
But Putin has accepted an invitation to travel to Pyongyang to continue his love-in with the reclusive ruler, according to North Korea radio which contradicted the Kremlin spokesman’s statement that a return visit was not on the agenda.
Some 15 explosions causing buildings to shake were heard around the resort of Yevpatoriya in occupied Crimea.
Videos show a huge column of fire.
In the Saratov region, a huge explosion on a major gas pipeline sent flames shooting into the sky (Picture: Social media/e2w)
Debris from the Ukrainian drones was found in Yevpatoriya, said Russian reports.
Suspicions focused on an attack at around 5:40 am local time on an air defence base located near Molochne.
Russian air defences were firing against the incoming drones.
So far the extent of any damage on the ground at the air defence placement is unconfirmed.
The cause of this giant blast was not immediately clear (Picture: Social media/e2w)
The Russian defence ministry said its forces had destroyed 11 Ukrainian aircraft-type drones over Crimea.
The cause of the spectacular explosion near the village of Krasny Oktyabr in Saratov region is under investigation.
State media reported that the blast was on the Peschany Umet – Storozhevka gas pipeline following a sudden depressurisation.
Fire raged over an area of 215,000 square feet.
An air defence complex was suspected to have been struck in annexed Crimea (Picture: east2west news)
Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russia – and Putin-held territory – in recent weeks.
On Wednesday, a missile onslaught on major naval port Sevastopol led to major damage to a warship and a submarine undergoing repairs in a shipyard.
Reports suggest the Minsk landing ship and Rostov-on-Don submarine will take no further part in Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russian forces attacked Ukraine early today with 22 Shahed drones, 17 of which were reportedly destroyed by Ukrainian air defences.
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