Powerful explosions occurred in Russian-occupied Melitopol, followed by black smoke rising from the area of the Avtokolorlit factory which Russia had seized and converted into a military base.

Powerful explosions in occupied Melitopol followed by black smoke rising from the Avtokolorlit factory area

Russian occupiers reported air defence had hit the target, but smoke rose from ground to sky

Powerful explosions occurred at a Russian military base in Melitopol, with smoke rising from the ground.

Russian-occupied Melitopol, a strategic port city on the 'land-bridge' between occupied Crimea and Russia, experienced loud explosions last night. Smoke was seen rising in the vicinity of an automotive factory that Russian forces have converted into a military base.

A powerful explosion occurred in Melitopol on the evening of 30 May, reported by Mayor Ivan Fedorov via Telegram.

The explosion was located on the western outskirts of Melitopol near the Avtokolorlit plant, which had been seized and converted into a military base.