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THIS is the explosive moment a Ukrainian fireball can be seen blitzing Russia following a major cross-border offensive that has left the Kremlin scrambling.
After a daring invasion of Kursk, Ukraine has continued its offensive with footage capturing the moment a major Russian bomb store and military airfield was taken out in a massive kamikaze drone strike.
The devastating precision attack in Lipetsk left hundreds of locals desperately fleeing from four nearby villages after endless rounds of munition started to explode.
Chilling video shows the moment several deadly drones are sent plummeting towards the Russian region.
As they smash into the ground huge fireball can be seen erupting followed by thick plumes of smoke.
Regional governor Igor Artamonov described the blasts as a “massive attack” as he declared a state of emergency for the Lipetsk district.
Following the initial blasts, footage from evacuating locals shows an apocalyptic view over the horizon of Lipetsk.
Terrifying sparks of light from the exploding artillery can be seen flying through the night sky as a glowing fire burns behind it.
More video shows a civilian fleeing for their lives as they film a raging fire in the distance.
A local from the Syrskoye base said: “The entire airfield is on fire, look – what the f*** is going on.”
Nine people have been reportedly killed in the blasts.
Several public events in the Lipetsk region have since been cancelled after the heavy attacks.
Separate Ukrainian strikes show a staged missile strike on a group of Russian forces in the Rylsky district of Kursk region.
Terrified locals reported four powerful explosions near the village of Oktyabrskoye with significant losses expected.
Roads leading into the village have been completely blocked off with constant gunfire being heard as Putin aims to fight back.
The Kremlin reportedly ordered their own Su-34 bombers to drop a number of FAB-500 aerial bombs onto their own village of Darino.
Local reports say Putin is attempting to clear out Ukrainians who have invaded the area.
Ukraine started their devastating Russian offensive earlier this week as a huge convoy of tanks were seen storming Russian villages.
Thousands of troops are still said to be holding onto the land in the Kursk region backed by tanks and armoured trucks.
Russian officials were forced to declare a state of emergency after the shock invasion – with mass civilian evacuations underway.
On Thursday, reports claimed Ukraine had advanced up to 20 miles inside Russia – leaving Putin humiliated by being caught out.
Russian state TV reporter Aleksandr Sladkov later announced Ukraine had “partial or full control of 11 settlements in the Sudzhansky district”.
Russian Su-34 bombers dropped FAB-500 aerial bombs on their own village of Darino in an attempt to clear Ukrainians who have invaded the border area.[/caption] Major evacuations were made in the region as the fire raged on[/caption]The Russian Defense Ministry said it had intercepted 75 drones overnight including 26 over Belgorod region, 19 over Lipetsk, and seven over Kursk region.
With seven unmanned boats also being sunk in the Black Sea.
It comes as a senior politician with close ties to the Kremlin has now claimed the blame for the attacks should lie with Britain.
Adalbi Shkhagoshev, a member of the State Duma Committee, accused them of instigating and aiding in the operation.
He told Russian media: “Britain participated in all such sorties. English was heard.”
It comes as an embarrassed Putin lashed out on Wednesday as he labelled the Ukrainian revenge strike a “large scale provocation”.
Russian military boss General Valery Gerasimov was forced to face the despot in a meeting and admit how a significant portion of territory in the region had been lost.
A snarling Putin raged: “As you know, the Kyiv regime has undertaken another large-scale provocation.
“It is firing indiscriminately from various types of weapons, including rockets, at civilian buildings, residential houses and ambulances.”
In response to the brazen invasion Putin has reportedly deployed his notorious Wagner troops to defend a key nuke power station in Kursk as Ukraine pushes forward.
The Wagner army – including tens of thousands of jail convicts freed and pardoned by Putin – had been used in cannon fodder frontline roles fighting against Ukrainians.
Why does Ukraine launch cross-border strikes on Russia?
By James Halpin, Foreign News Reporter
Ukraine has attacked Russia itself a number of times since Russia invaded their neighbour in February 2022.
The strikes have included both ground assaults with tanks and troops, and also the use of long-range missiles.
In March, Ukraine-supporting Russian rebels from the Freedom of Russia Legion (FRL), Siberian Battalion (SB) and Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) launched a two-pronged assault.
In May last year, the Free Russia Legion attacked the country as they sought to “build a free Russia”.
None of the incursions have so far been able to hold any land, with the invaders being beaten back or retreating.
Ultimately, they seek to stretch Russian forces, strike Russia in unprotected areas, and destroy critical infrastructure like logistics hubs, ammunition depots, or disrupt Russian events.