Explosions At Saki Air Base, Ripples Beyond Crimea? Why Russia-Ukraine War Could Escalate Further​

Satellite images bely Russia's claims of minimal damage at its Saki Air Base in Western Crimea following a string of mysterious explosions. While Russia has played down the incident, Ukrainian officials have boasted the blasts were "just the beginning". On this week's Decode, watch Zakka Jacob explain why the Saki Air Base blasts could mark a significant escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Russia is reportedly amassing significant forces in Belarus for a massive missile attack on Ukraine. At least 3 civilians have been killed and two wounded by an explosive device while swimming in the Black Sea near Odesa.

Russia says it killed over 100 “mercenaries” from Poland and Germany at a temporary deployment point in the Kharkiv region. Luhansk governor says Ukraine forces destroyed a Wagner Group base in Melitopol with a “precision strike”.

Ukraine claims the leader of the Russian-backed govt has fled Kherson and crossed the Dnipro river. Is Ukraine pushing the invaders back in Kherson? Advantage Kyiv as Russians grapple with supply issues?

The Israeli strikes hit targets close to the Russian navy's only Mediterranean base, in the Tartus port, where Russian warships are docked. Russia’s major Hmeimim air base is also in the nearby Latakia province.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned Russian soldiers against shooting at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant or using it as a base. Zelensky, who did not give any details, repeated claims that Russia was using the plant as nuclear blackmail. Zelensky’s statement came as Kyiv and Moscow trade blame for shelling around Europe’s largest nuclear power facility. A Russian diplomat has called on the United Nations to intervene to ensure the safety of Zaporizhzhya following weeks of shelling.

Russia claims to have successfully tested the modernised version of its 125-mm 2S25 self-propelled anti-tank gun amid the Ukraine war. The 2S25M tank destroyer is an amphibious armoured track vehicle outfitted with an artillery missile system, according to Rostec. The upgraded anti-tank gun showed high amphibious properties during state tests in the Black Sea, as per state news agency TASS. The 2S25M also reportedly demonstrated the possibility of its transportation by large amphibious assault ships. Production facilities for the mass manufacture of the weapon are being prepared, as per officials.

Hundreds joined a protest in Bulgaria's capital Sofia against its caretaker government on August 10. The protestors fear that President Rumen Radev's interim govt could revert to close energy ties with Russia. The demonstrators believe that Radev is intent on reversing the policies of its previous pro-Western govt led by Kiril Petkov. It’s the second time Bulgarians took to the streets under the slogan #GAZwithme, as per reports.

A Turkish drone strike killed at least four people in a northeast Syrian city held by Kurdish forces. Qamishli is the de facto capital of a semi-autonomous Kurdish administration that runs large parts of Syria’s northeastern region. The four victims were reportedly killed as they dug trenches near the Turkish border in anticipation of Ankara’s new offensive. The Syrian Defense Forces claim the Turks would not have been able to launch them without US and Russian permission.

ghtly address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian war began with the occupation of Crimea. He further added that the war will only end once Crimea is liberated. This comes after one person was killed and eight others injured in explosions at a military airbase in Russia-occupied Crimea. While Kyiv denied any responsibility for the attack, some officials suggested it could have been the work of partisan saboteurs.