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THIS is the dramatic moment that a Putin missile targeting Ukraine hits Russia instead – in an embarrassing multi-million-pound blunder.
The huge explosion reportedly plunged 540 homes in the Lipetsk region into darkness on Saturday, in a resulting blackout just miles from the warzone.
East2West
East2West
East2WestHorrifying dashcam footage shows the moment the wayward Kh-22 or Kh-32 smashed into the ground, throwing up debris and causing the car to swerve violently.
The video shows a massive fireball that is created as the weapon lands just feet from a public road in a wooded area.
Large chunks of rubble can be seen shooting upwards into the air as a result, and the videographer is forced to stop recording.
The explosion is thought to have caused a devastating blackout in the area.
Exilenova Telegram channel reported: “In fact, the Kh-22/Kh-32 missile fell [on Lipetsk region].”
Baza channel – with sources in law enforcement – reported: “Residents of a village in the Yeletsky district heard a loud explosion, after which their homes lost electricity, water, and in some places even mobile communications.”
The Lipetsk regional government, loyal to Vlad, tried to downplay the mistake despite experts waving them off.
They announced that the incident was the result of a “spent stage of an aviation missile system”.
This means that the missile was not in operation at the time of the explosion.
But other sources pointed out that the shape of the missile was distinctly seen – and a spent stage would not trigger such a massive explosion.
This embarrassing accident will be costly for Putin, as a Kh-22 costs around £1 million, while a more sophisticated Kh-32 is valued at an eye-watering £3.5 million.
These missiles have already been used by Putin in the war against Ukraine.
The explosion took place at a reported distance of 350 miles from the warzone.
No one is said to have been killed or injured in the explosion, though some property damage has been reported, according to a statement.
PUTIN’S HUMILIATIONS
Videos have shown Putin taking a few costly hits recently as the conflict rages on.
Footage from January 23 has shown Ukrainian forces blasting the Rostneft Oil Refinery in Ryazan with long-range kamikaze drones.
Towering flames and huge plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the site in footage shared on social media.
People ran from the scene as the inferno raged.
At least 20 drones targeted the Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow, overnight – striking the depot and a power station.
Ryazan oil refinery is one of the largest in Russia and is critical for fuel supplies to Moscow.
What is happening between Russia and Ukraine?
RUSSIA and the Ukraine have remained technically at war since 2014.
Ukraine was aligned with Russia as part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, following which it became an independent state.
Both nations remained closely tied – but Ukraine gradually began to distance itself, seeking deeper ties with the West.
The open conflict was triggered by the Ukrainian Revolution in 2014 – when an uprising overthrew the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych.
Vladimir Putin’s forces reacted by annexing the region of Crimea from Ukraine – a move which was widely condemned by the West.
The conflict then spiralled when pro-Russian groups in Eastern Ukraine then took up arms against the state.
Russia gave their backing the separatist forces which formed breakaway republics in Donetsk and Luhansk.
Putin’s forces then launched a military incursion into these regions as they gave their support to the rebels.
Russia continues to hold Crimea – and claims the region joined them willingly after they a referendum.
Seven years have now passed and the War in Donbass remains at a stalemate.
It is estimated some 14,000 have been killed in the conflict, including more than 3,0o0 civilians.
Ukraine and the rebels signed a new ceasefire in July 2020 – but clashes have been steadily increasing again throughout 2021.
And in yet another unfortunate and costly error, hilarious footage shows a rookie soldier downing the £73,000 FPV before boasting about it in front of Russian state media.
The Belgorod territorial guard invited famous state media military correspondent Olga Kurlaeva to show how they guard their border region.
They are seen using their small arms to shoot at what they were convinced was a Ukrainian Furia aircraft-style reconnaissance drone.
After firing rounds of bullets, the drone can be seen falling down.
The Russian Captain who shot it down says: “We downed [a Ukrainian] Furia. A reconnaissance, aircraft-type drone was flying.”
Outrage soon followed when it was found that the drone was instead valuable Russian surveillance equipment.
One furious military correspondent posted: “The Belgorod men are so tough that they apparently committed friendly fire in front of the cameras.”
Red-faced Kurlaeva was forced to remove her post and delete the video.
AFP
English (US)