AP

Large explosions rock Russian military air base in Crimea

Aug 9, 2022, 4:02 AM | Updated: Aug 10, 2022, 2:48 am

Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospita...

Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

(AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Powerful explosions rocked a Russian air base in Crimea and sent towering clouds of smoke over the landscape Tuesday in what may mark an escalation of the war in Ukraine. At least one person was killed and several others were wounded, authorities said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry denied the Saki base on the Black Sea had been shelled and said instead that munitions had blown up there. But Ukrainian social networks were abuzz with speculation that it was hit by Ukrainian-fired long-range missiles.

Videos posted on social networks showed sunbathers on nearby beaches fleeing as huge flames and pillars of smoke rose over the horizon from multiple points, accompanied by loud booms. Crimea Today News said on Telegram that witnesses reported fire on a runway and damage to nearby homes as a result of what it said were dozens of blasts.

Russia’s state news agency Tass quoted an unidentified ministry source as saying the explosions’ primary cause appeared to be a “violation of fire safety requirements.” The ministry said no warplanes were damaged.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said sarcastically on Facebook: “The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine cannot establish the cause of the fire, but once again recalls the rules of fire safety and the prohibition of smoking in unspecified places.”

A presidential adviser, Oleksiy Arestovych, said cryptically in his regular online interview that the blasts were caused either by a Ukrainian-made long-range weapon or were the work of partisans operating in Crimea.

During the war, Russia has reported numerous fires and explosions at munitions storage sites on its territory near the Ukrainian border, blaming some of them on Ukrainian strikes. Ukrainian authorities have mostly remained mum about the incidents.

If Ukrainian forces were, in fact, responsible for the blasts at the air base, it would be the first known major attack on a Russian military site on the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin annexed in 2014. A smaller explosion last month at the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean port of Sevastopol was blamed on Ukrainian saboteurs using a makeshift drone.

Russian warplanes have used the Saki base to strike areas in Ukraine’s south on short notice.

One person was killed, said Crimea’s regional leader, Sergei Aksyonov. Crimean health authorities said nine people were wounded, one of whom remained hospitalized. Others were treated for cuts from shards of glass and released.

Officials in Moscow have long warned Ukraine that any attack on Crimea would trigger massive retaliation, including strikes on “decision-making centers” in Kyiv.

For his part, Ukraine’s president vowed to retake Crimea from Russia.

“This Russian war against Ukraine and against all of free Europe began with Crimea and must end with Crimea — its liberation,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday in his nightly video address. “Today it is impossible to say when this will happen. But we are constantly adding the necessary components to the formula for the liberation of Crimea.”

Earlier Tuesday, Ukrainian officials reported at least three Ukrainian civilians were killed and 23 wounded by Russian shelling in 24 hours, including an attack not far from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The Russians fired over 120 rockets at the town of Nikopol, across the Dnieper River from the plant, Dnipropetrovsk Gov. Valentyn Reznichenko said. Several apartment buildings and industrial sites were damaged, he said.

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of shelling the power station, Europe’s biggest nuclear plant, stoking international fears of a catastrophe.

The governor of the region where the plant is situated, Oleksandr Starukh, said Tuesday that radiation levels were normal. But he warned that an accident could spread radiation whichever way the wind blows, carrying it to Moscow and other Russian cities.

A Russian-installed official in the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region said an air defense system at the plant would be reinforced in the aftermath of last week’s shelling. Evgeny Balitsky, head of the Kremlin-backed administration, told Russian state TV that power lines and other damaged portions of the plant were restored.

The Ukrainians in recent weeks have been mounting counterattacks in Russian-occupied areas of southern Ukraine while trying to hold off the Kremlin’s forces in the industrial Donbas region in the east.

Also Tuesday, a U.S. official said Iran has agreed to supply Russia with drones for use in the war in Ukraine. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information, said “during the last several weeks, Russian officials conducted training in Iran as part of the agreement for UAV transfers from Iran to Russia.”

The White House released satellite images in mid-July indicating that Russians had visited an Iranian airbase to see weapons-capable drones. But U.S. officials said later that month that they had seen no evidence yet of Iran supplying Russia with the drones.

Ukrainian officials this month said Iran has transferred drones to Russia and some have been used in combat.

___

Associated Press writer Chris Megerian in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of Ukrainian Red Cross emergency move a wounded man to an ambulance to transport him from one hospital to another, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Rising smoke can be seen from the beach at Saky after explosions were heard from the direction of a Russian military airbase near Novofedorivka, Crimea, Tuesday Aug. 9, 2022. The explosion of munitions caused a fire at a military air base in Russian-annexed Crimea Tuesday but no casualties or damage to stationed warplanes, Russia's Defense Ministry said. (UGC via AP)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of Ukrainian Red Cross emergency move a wounded man to an ambulance to transport him from one hospital to another, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of Ukrainian Red Cross emergency move a wounded man to an ambulance to transport him from one hospital to another, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of Ukrainian Red Cross emergency move a wounded man to an ambulance to transport him from one hospital to another, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency transport a wounded man from one to another hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Natalia Gymsa, 66, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Natalia's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in the village of Ukrainka, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Natalia are unable to return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Volunteers of Ukrainian Red Cross emergency move a wounded man to an ambulance to transport him from one hospital to another, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Vera Vasiukova, 71, left, sits on her bed at a center for displaced people near Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Vera's house was destroyed by Russian attacks in Snigurivka village, Mykolaiv region. Many people like Vera are unable return home because of the continuing fighting. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              A woman caries a box with humanitarian aid at the Ukrainian Red Cross distribution center for displaced people in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Ukrainian servicemen of "Fireflies" reconnaissance team operate a drone at their position at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Ukrainian servicemen of "Fireflies" reconnaissance team jump from the trunk of pickup to take their position at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Ukrainian servicemen of "Fireflies" reconnaissance team ride to the position in the trunk of pickup at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              A Ukrainian serviceman of "Fireflies" reconnaissance team guards at his position at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              Icons lay on the debris of a church which was destroyed after Russian attack at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              A Ukrainian serviceman walks on a street at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              A religious icon is seen from the window of a church which was destroyed after Russian attack at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              An icon lies in the debris of a church which was destroyed after Russian attack at the frontline in Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
            
              In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, awards Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of the southern city of Melitopol, in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 17, 2022. Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of the southern city of Melitopol who spent a long time in Russian captivity, said the increasingly active guerrilla movement in the region will derail Moscow's plans to organize votes on joining Russia in southeastern Ukraine. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

AP

A demonstrator in Tel Aviv holds a sign calling for a cease-fire in the Hamas-Israel war on Nov. 21...

Associated Press

Hamas releases a third group of hostages as part of truce, and says it will seek to extend the deal

The fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was back on track Sunday as the first American was released under a four-day truce.

3 days ago

Men look over the site of a deadly explosion at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 18, ...

Associated Press

New AP analysis of last month’s deadly Gaza hospital explosion rules out widely cited video

The Associated Press is publishing an updated visual analysis of the deadly Oct. 17 explosion at Gaza's Al-Ahli Hospital.

6 days ago

Peggy Simpson holds a photograph of law enforcement carrying Lee Harvey Oswald's gun through a hall...

Associated Press

JFK assassination remembered 60 years later by surviving witnesses to history, including AP reporter

Peggy Simpson is among the last surviving witnesses who are sharing their stories as the nation marks the 60th anniversary.

7 days ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, ...

Associated Press

Israeli Cabinet approves cease-fire with Hamas; deal includes release of 50 hostages

Israel’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that would bring a temporary halt to a devastating war.

7 days ago

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump helps serve food to Texas Natio...

Associated Press

Trump receives endorsement from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a visit to a US-Mexico border town

Donald Trump picked up the Texas governor’s endorsement Sunday during a visit to a U.S.-Mexico border town.

9 days ago

Eric Trump, executive vice president of Trump Organization Inc., speaks to the media as he leaves f...

Associated Press

Lawyers in Trump’s civil fraud trial are ordered to clam up about judge’s communications with staff

Eric Trump testified Friday that he was relying on accountants to ensure the accuracy of financial statements.

26 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

The best ways to honor our heroes on Veterans Day and give back to the community

Veterans Day is fast approaching and there's no better way to support our veterans than to donate to the Military Assistance Mission.

Follow @KTAR923...

The 2023 Diamondbacks are a good example to count on the underdog

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the World Series as a surprise. That they made the playoffs at all, got past the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card round, swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and won two road games in Philadelphia to close out a full seven-game NLCS went against every expectation. Now, […]

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

Large explosions rock Russian military air base in Crimea