STRIKING BACK
Russian ammunition depot explodes in suspected Ukrainian drone strike in latest blow to Vladimir Putin
A RUSSIAN ammunition depot has exploded in what is suspected to be another strike by Ukraine across the border as they push back against Vladimir Putin.
The ammo dump in the Belgorod region was reportedly ablaze and pictures show a huge plume of fire and smoke billowing over the landscape.
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Two more attacks were also suspected with reports of explosions in the regions of the Voronezh and Kursk.
Ukraine has not confirmed the strikes - but video appears to show anti-air missiles being fired in the area.
All three regions are along the border with Ukraine and the blasts come as Kyiv goes on the offensive.
Ukraine has been pushing the Russians back as Putin failed in his plan to bulldoze his way to victory in a matter of days.
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The war has now been raging for nearly two months - and Putin's army have found themselves being decimated with an estimated 22,000 dead soldiers.
Russia has been humiliated and questions are mounting over what is next of Putin after the disastrous war, especially with mounting questions over his health.
Ukraine's suspected military strikes on Russian soil have sparked a new phase of tension in the war - with Putin fuming over the idea of Western weapons potentially being used in the attacks.
And Kremlin officials have chillingly warned that Russia could attack military sites in Western nations - including Britain - which are being used to supply weapons to Ukraine.
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In Kursk there were unconfirmed reports that Russian air defences had downed Ukrainian military drones.
Explosions were heard in the cities off Kursk and Oboyan, while locals heard the military planes flying over Oboyan.
In Voronezh region, there were reports Russian air defences were active to fend off an attack on strategic Baltimore military air base.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, said on Telegram: "At approximately 03.35am I woke up from a loud bang that sounded like a blast.
"As I was writing this post, three more blasts were heard.”
He added: According to preliminary information, an ammunition depot is on fire near the village of Staraya Nelidovka.”
No civilian casualties were reported.
A blaze at Staraya Nelidovka in Belgorod region was reportedly extinguished.
The blasts follow suspected Ukrainian attacks earlier this week on two major oil facilities in Bryansk.
Ukraine has previously been accused of staging attacks on Russian soil to disrupt Putin's campaign.
Kyiv has however denied carrying out strikes across the border.
And it's been warned Moscow may be attempting to use staged attacks on their soil as false flags to justify escalating the war in Ukraine.
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It comes as Putin's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov warned the risk of World War 3 is now "considerable".
He accused the West of essentially fighting a proxy war against Moscow via its support for Kyiv.
Lavrov accused Nato forces of "pouring oil on the fire" by "pumping weapons into Ukraine".
In an interview with Russian news agencies, he said: "This is our key position on which we base everything.
"The risks now are considerable.
"I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real, And we must not underestimate it."
And the war hawk said weapons shipments from Britain and other Nato countries "would be a legitimate target".
Lavrov accused the West of deliberately attempting to "wear down the Russian army" and exhaust their ability to make war - something the minister bullishly said was an "illusion".
But he claimed Russia wanted to prevent a nuclear war at all costs.
Western countries have been supplying aid, weapons and equipment to Ukraine - stopping short of sending troops or imposing a no fly zone.
Britain has been supply anti-tank weapons, anti-air missile and plans to send Stormer armoured vehicles to help them fight against Russia.
But it is feared doing anything more could spark open war with Moscow - something which could easily spiral into a nuclear exchange.
And with this danger hanging over the region, the world is sitting the edge - with international tensions at highest point since the Cold War.
And Lavrov stoked the fires once again as he outright accused the West of waging a hidden conflict against Russia.
He said: "Nato, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war."
The foreign minister also criticised Kyiv's approach to peace talks with Moscow.
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He said: "Goodwill has its limits. But if it isn't reciprocal, that doesn't help the negotiation process."
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described Lavrov's comments as a sign of Russia's weakness.
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