Four employees of Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) and a security guard were killed in an explosion in Sevastopol, the Russia-appointed head of the city, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said on his Telegram channel. The blast occurred as specialists were clearing the area after a nighttime attack, when an enemy ordnance detonated during the operation, according to Razvozhayev.
Razvozhayev named the dead sappers: Captain of Internal Service Anton Chudakov (head of the unit), Captain of Internal Service Alexander Panchuk (senior engineer), Warrant Officer of Internal Service Artyom Duplin (driver-sapper), and Roman Pilipchuk (rescuer-sapper). The fifth victim was identified as Vasily Staroverov, the facility's security guard.
Razvozhayev did not specify what facility was being inspected. However, the Telegram channel "Crimean Wind," citing local residents, reported that a damaged EMERCOM vehicle was parked near the 330 kV Sevastopol substation, with bodies of ministry staff lying nearby. The outlet noted that in wartime conditions it could not promptly verify this information.
Earlier reports said an air raid alert was declared in the city late on August 12, followed by explosions and a power outage. According to Crimean Wind, Russian military mobile fire groups attempted to shoot down drones over the Gagarinsky district, with the drones heading toward the Balaklava thermal power plant. Residents later discussed a "strike" on the power station.