Russia was dealt a devastating blow this morning after a Ukrainian ambush strike wiped out an entire ammunition depot. The strike destroyed a “very significant” ammunition depot in Rykove, near the Russian-occupied port city of Henichesk in the southern region of Kherson. The southern region is the centre of intense fighting amid Ukraine’s recently-launched counter-offensive.
Videos shared on social media show the devastating explosions that rocked Rykove this morning.
Clips show vast plumes of fire and smoke rising on the horizon while sounds of further explosions and blasts can be heard in the background.
Footage also shows burning projectiles flying into the sky.
Rykove sits about 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Henichesk, which has been occupied by Kremlin forces since the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
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Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force Mykola Oleshchuk confirmed that a huge ammunition depot had been hit at Partyzany railway station in Rykove.
He praised his pilots for the decisive strikes.
Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesperson for the Odesa military administration, also confirmed the strike.
In a video message, the Ukrainian official said: “Our armed forces dealt a good blow in the morning – and a very loud one – in the village of Rykove, Henichesk district, in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region.
“There was a very significant ammunition depot. It was destroyed.”
Social media accounts that monitor the conflict shared the clips of the attack, with @Tendar writing: “Huge explosions are taking place in Russian-occupied areas.
“Russian ammunition warehouses have been hit and based on that footage this one was pretty full. This is in Rykove, Kherson Oblast, near Henichesk.”
It was reported that the fire and explosions at the site have been ongoing for “the last three hours”.
Meanwhile, the UK Ministry of Defence says heavy fighting is continuing to be focused in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, western Donetsk Oblast, and around Bakhmut.
In its daily intelligence briefing, the MoD stated that both sides are suffering high casualties, with Russian losses likely the highest since the peak of the battle for Bakhmut in March.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko admitted that the counter-offensive was “intense” on everyone in the country.
She said: “Every time that Ukraine gets an upper hand in the war zone, Russia launches missiles and drones on the peaceful cities in Western Ukraine and especially on Kyiv the capital.
“So the whole country is in a very tense situation right now because whether you are fighting and living in the combat zones, or you are living in Kyiv, or you are living in western Ukraine, you are still countering Russia’s aggression.”