Ukraine blows up Russian gas rig in Black Sea killing 40 soldiers & wiping out recon HQ in massive explosion

UKRAINE have dealt Vladimir Putin another huge blow after blasting a Russian gas rig in the Black Sea, killing 40 soldiers.

The rig was packed with “reconnaissance equipment” to help with Russia’s war effort, according to Ukrainian outlets.

Ukraine have blown up a Russian oil rig in the Black Sea

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Ukraine have blown up a Russian oil rig in the Black SeaCredit: X
Thick plumes of black smoke were seen coming from the decimated rig

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Thick plumes of black smoke were seen coming from the decimated rigCredit: X
The Black Sea rig was also used by Russia as a weapons headquarters, say Ukraine

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The Black Sea rig was also used by Russia as a weapons headquarters, say UkraineCredit: East2West

Kyiv announced the successful attack on the platform and claimed up to 40 Russian military personnel were believed to be on board at the time of the explosion.

Pictures show a giant fireball erupting on the rig with sparks flying off the platform.

It comes as Putin is said to be “seething” over the Ukrainian blitz that has seen Russia scrambling to defend Kursk, insiders claim.

The humiliated tyrant is even said to be battling against his own men as an army general reportedly accused the Kremlin leadership of dismissing clear intelligence warning of the huge Kyiv counter-invasion.

The devastating surge into Kursk and several other Russian villages has been a “slap in the face” for a moody Putin as his flailing war continues to stutter.

A Kremlin official told Russian outlet Politika.Kozlov Ukraine’s mini invasion has “made Putin nervous” as he struggles to defend against the oncoming army of trucks, tanks and loyal soldiers.

“This is a slap in the face for the president. We have been unable to push the enemy back,” they added.

“A danger to the population has been created in Russia’s regions. European gas has gone up in price. This is not how a country confident of its victory behaves.”