Ukraine crisis: Donetsk 'tactical missile' explosion at factory sends blast wave across rebel-held city
The huge explosion smashed glass across the city
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A huge explosion has rocked the rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, smashing windows over a radius of several kilometres and sending a vast mushroom cloud up into the sky.
The blast occurred at a rubber processing factory full of chemicals, with numerous videos taken in the aftermath of the initial explosion showing further, smaller bursts of flame.
The plant lies in a rebel-controlled area on the outskirts of the city, the largest controlled by the pro-Russian separatists. They and government forces are supposed to be in a state of ceasefire after agreeing a truce last month, but diminished artillery exchanges have continued.
Today's blast, which rang out at 12.15pm local time, was described by witnesses as by far the largest to have occurred in Donetsk for some time.
Some rebels said it was caused by a tactical SS-21 Scarab missile, according to Russian media outlets, though this could not be independently verified.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian military denied reports that the explosion was caused by one of its missiles, saying Kiev's forces had nothing to do with the incident.
Pictures showed damage to the exterior of the Donbass Arena, home to the football club Shakhtar Donetsk, while video released by rebels showed a meeting of the Donetsk People's Republic interrupted by the loud blast, shaking the building and causing attendants to panic.
Since the current ceasefire was announced, the UN estimates more than 300 people have been killed. That compares to more than 3,660 deaths over the course of the six-month conflict.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments