A Russian landing craft was blown up by a mine near Mariupol. Explosions in the Russian town of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine [VIDEO]

The landing craft Project 1176 “Shark” belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, has entered a mine in the Sea of Azov in the Mariupol area. Three crew members were killed, reported an advisor to the Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko.

The advisor to the mayor wrote on Telegram that “the Ukrainian side has received confirmation of the incident”, which occurred on 30 June.

At the time, Odessa authorities reported an explosion on a landing craft but stipulated that the reports were unconfirmed.

Mariupol on the Sea of Azov is occupied by Russian troops. 

The ‘Akula’ landing craft (in English ‘shark’) is a type of vessel built in the USSR and modern Russia until 2009. These landing crafts can transport landing forces of up to 20 troops.

Yesterday’s explosions in the Russian town of Belgorod near the border with Ukraine

Explosions have occurred in Belgorod, a city in Russia near the border with Ukraine; there are three fatalities and 11 apartment blocks have been damaged, the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said on Sunday.

The regional head, quoted by Reuters, gave reports of 11 apartment blocks and 39 private homes damaged in the blast. Five houses were damaged. He added that four people were injured.

The regional government chief, quoted by Reuters, gave reports of 11 residential blocks and 39 private homes damaged by the blast. Five houses were damaged. He added that four people were injured.