A major fire erupted on Wednesday at Chkalovsky military airfield near Moscow, marking another blow to Vladimir Putin’s already beleaguered military infrastructure. Dramatic footage shows black smoke billowing over the airfield, with helicopters deployed in a frantic attempt to control the flames. Russian sources report the blaze, which spread over 8,600 square feet, may have started due to a short circuit in the headquarters building.
The incident, occurring just 20 miles from Moscow’s center, has sparked ridicule from Ukraine supporters, with online posts mocking the fire as a potential act of “careless smoking.” Although the airfield has previously been targeted by Ukrainian forces, there is currently no indication of direct involvement from Kyiv.
This fire comes amid intensifying strikes by both Russia and Ukraine on each other’s critical infrastructure and follows recent reports of sabotage at Russian air bases. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also presented a “victory plan,” declaring that Kyiv, with its allies, will force Russia into peace.
