Russian forces have used the Crimean Peninsula as a staging ground in their invasion of Ukraine. However, that link in their military supply chain could be under threat. The defence ministry says a series of explosions there is an "act... of sabotage."

The explosions ripped through an ammunition depot on Tuesday, leaving debris strewn throughout the area. The blasts forced about 3,000 residents to evacuate. The incident came a week after a similar one at a Russian base in the region.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed governor of Crimea, said, "There are, of course, damaged houses; it was visible. There are several houses that have burned down."

Ukrainian officials have not claimed any responsibility. But they have not denied any, either.

Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Yuriy Ignat said, "As for those events, the enemy does not know how to use fire safety measures. But it definitely makes us all happy."

Russian forces annexed the peninsula eight years ago. Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said in an online post that forces will press ahead with their operation to recapture it to show that "Crimea is Ukraine."