Putin PULLS BACK jets & helicopters in Crimea after ‘mushroom cloud’ base blitz as his troops MUTINY in humiliating vid

VLADIMIR Putin has been forced to pull back his jets and helicopters in Crimea after a massive blitz on Russian military bases as his troops mutiny in a humiliating video. Ukrainian intelligence sources claim some 24 fighter jets and bombers along with 14 choppers retreated deeper into the Black Sea peninsula – or back to mainland Russia. ReutersA view of damaged aircraft at Russia’s Saki air base in Crimea after a blast[/caption] Explosions at Novofedorivka military airfield, CrimeaEast2West EPASmoke rising after a series of explosions at the Saki airfield[/caption] Dozens of pro-Putin troops mutinied by refusing to fight in war-torn DonetskEast2West The dramatic withdrawal follows the heavy bombardment of Putin’s military bases on the Russian-occupied peninsula over the last nine days from Ukrainian special forces. A devastating series of explosions at an air base last week destroyed 20 jets and caused £1bn of damage. And on Tuesday, a Russian ammunition depot burst into flames after it was rocked by a blast, leaving two people injured. Ukrainian military intelligence said: “The occupiers are carrying out measures to partially transfer aviation equipment from forward-based airfields in Crimea to reserve airfields and airfields permanently based on the territory of the Russian Federation. Read more on the Ukraine war FALLOUT ZONE Ukraine readying for new Chernobyl-like nuclear DISASTER with hazmat drills 'CRUEL SUMMER' Ukraine warns Russians not to visit Crimea in mock ad with Bananarama song “Such activity was noted after a series of explosions at the military infrastructure facilities of the temporarily occupied Crimea peninsula, including at the airfields Saki and Gvardiyske.” Ukraine claimed three Su-35s, three Su-34s, five Su-27s, and three other aircraft flew back to Russia from Belbek airfield in Crimea. Six Ka-27 helicopters and eight other choppers also fled the airfields, it was claimed. Russia is believed to have lost at least ten warplanes in the attack on Saki airfield, which was rocked by a blast last Tuesday. Most read in News MURDER PROBE Cops swoop on suspect's home after OAP, 87, is knifed to death on scooter FRIGHT THEM ON THE BEACHES Warning after shark spotted near popular UK beach CHILD SNATCHED Girl, 7, 'sexually assaulted' in van, as man held & '2nd suspect' hunted 'SEX TEACHER' Teacher, 28, to face trial for ‘having sex with 15-year-old pupil’ HOLIDAY HORROR Brit woman dies in plunge from Majorca hotel room 'where she was alone' NUDE AWAKENING I checked my door cam after hearing a noise… I was HORRIFIED by what I saw In a speech last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the war “began with Crimea and must end with Crimea – its liberation.”. Until this month, Crimea – annexed by Putin from Ukraine in 2014 – had been fairly unscathed from the war. The retreat suggests Putin fears fresh losses on the battlefield – and the apparent Ukrainian ability to strike deeper into Russian-occupied territory could indicate a dramatic shift in the war. And it comes as shocking footage showed the moment dozens of pro-Putin fighters mutinied by refusing to head to the frontline in war-torn Donetsk. The troops from Luhansk People’s Republic complained of “threats, blackmail, intimidation and deception” to force them to slaughter Ukrainians – and they bluntly refused to fight. A statement read by one of the fighters said: “We, servicemen from mobilisation reserve battalion 2740, refuse to go and fight in the Donetsk People’s Republic. “We have fulfilled our duty for the defence of the Luhansk People’s Republic. “Victory day was announced by the head of the republic on July 3, 2022. “With threats, blackmail, intimidation and lies they are now trying to force us to the territory of the DPR.” Read More on The Sun COUNTING THE COST Couple's horror as winning lottery ticket SHREDDED by their pet dogs BILL HELP Seven benefits worth up to £689 you can claim with a mental health condition Crimea provides the main supply route for Russian forces in southern Ukraine – where Kyiv is expected to launch a counter-offensive in coming weeks. The Black Sea Fleet has also blocked Ukraine’s ports since the start of the war, trapping vital grain exports that are only now starting to move again, and sending global food prices soaring.