Catastrophic explosion lights up sky and sends shockwaves through Ukrainian city

Video footage appears to show a catastrophic explosion rip through a Ukrainian city, sending shockwaves through the air and a mushroom cloud into the sky.

There is currently no suggestion that the blast is nuclear but it is unclear exactly what type of explosion it was.

Social media users posting the clips said the explosion had been seen from the city of Kharkiv and are suggesting it could be a thermobaric bomb, also known as a vacuum bomb.

The distressing clips comes as Russia continued to bombard Ukraine’s largest cities on the sixth day of the invasion.

For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our live blog: Russia-Ukraine live

Meanwhile Russia’s nuclear submarines were sent out to do drills after President Vladimir Putin ordered his nation’s nuclear forces to be put on high alert.

Subs sailed off in the Barents Sea and mobile missile launchers roamed snow forests in Siberia.

Russia’s Northern Fleet said in a statement that several of its nuclear submarines were involved in exercises designed to ‘train manoeuvring in stormy conditions’.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5video

This video is said to be from Saltivka in the northern outskirts of Kharkiv. Multiple-launch rocket systems being used, possibly with cluster ammo. #Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/JktMhwB7l9

❗️Росія використовує заборонені вакуумні бомби для ударів по Харкову.

Навіть війну ведуть як щурі, здалека, ракетами. pic.twitter.com/rhcfqQYGXm

It said several warships tasked with protecting northwest Russia’s Kola Peninsula, where several naval bases are located, would join the manoeuvres.

In the Irkutsk region of eastern Siberia, units of the Strategic Missile Forces dispersed Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers in forests to practice secret deployment, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The military did not say whether the drills were linked to Mr Putin’s order on Sunday and it is also unclear whether the exercises represented a change in the country’s normal nuclear training activities or posture.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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