Watch as Ukraine warns Russians it’s ‘big mistake’ to visit Crimea in mock ad with Bananarama song after airbase blast

RUSSIAN tourists have been warned not to visit Crimea in a mock advert released by Ukraine featuring the Bananarama soundtrack.

The video comes after blasts hit an airbase on the peninsula, sending holiday makers fleeing from a nearby beach, in an area which is popular with Russian visitors.

The attack left at least one person dead, up to 20 aeroplanes destroyed, and around $1 billion of damage, according to Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs.

Officials in Kyiv have so far stopped short of directly claiming responsibility to the attack.

But the country’s defence ministry has now released a video accompanied by Bananarama’s ‘Cruel Summer’, which was a hit for the legendary girl band in 1983.

The mock advert begins with words “you had a few options this summer” on screen and then offers Dubai, Turkey and Cuba as alternatives.

“You chose Crimea – big mistake,” says the video with footage of the flames coming from the base.

A sobbing Russian tourist heading home in car after her holiday was rudely interrupted.

The words ‘Crimea is Ukraine’ – a reference to Moscow’s 2014 illegal annexation of the peninsula – then appear before it fades out.

“Unless they want an unpleasantly hot summer break, we advise our valued Russian guests not to visit Ukrainian Crimea,” the defence ministry said.

“Because no amount of sunscreen will protect them from the hazardous effects of smoking in unauthorised areas.”

Saki airbase has been used as a base for countless attacks on the southeast of Ukraine.

Russia had previously denied any of its aircraft were damaged in the blast at Saki airbase in Western Crimea, just miles from beaches popular with Russian visitors.

But photos of the base published by US satellite imaging company Planet Labs show the extent of the destruction at the base, with at least seven fighter jets completely obliterated.

On Wednesday, a clip reportedly taken from the base revealed the scorched remains of a £19m Russian fighter jet destroyed on the base.

Russian accounts of the damage have since varied from an aircraft engine fire to an explosion triggered by a carelessly dropped cigarette.

After the attack, tourists were seen fleeing in panic and even crying as plumes of smoke rose over the nearby coastline.

Footage of a nearby resort shows scores of buildings with blown-out windows.

The Crimean authorities say at least 250 people have been moved out of their homes and into temporary accommodation.

Miles-long queues of fleeing Russians have been pictured crossing the main border between Crimea and Russia.

The Russian authorities have downplayed the explosions, claiming that no hotels or beaches in Crimea have been affected.