Russian bases ‘REVEALED’ by Google Maps satellites, Ukraine claims – but tech giant says they’ve ‘always been visible’

RUSSIA’S military airbases have been “REVEALED” in uncensored Google Maps images, Ukrainian armed forces have claimed. The country’s military shared high-quality images purporting to show Russian command posts near Murmansk, Kamchatka and Kursk. GoogleRussia’s military airbases have been “REVEALED” in uncensored Google Maps images, Ukrainian armed forces have claimed[/caption] GoogleThe country’s military shared high-quality images purporting to show Russian command posts[/caption] GoogleThe force claimed the images were newly uncensored by Google[/caption] In the Twitter post, the force claimed the images – which show “Russian launchers, intercontinental ballistic missile mines, command posts and secret landfills” – were newly uncensored by Google. But the tech firm has insisted the shots were always available. A Google spokesperson told Newsweek: “We haven’t made any blurring changes to our satellite imagery in Russia.” Read more on Ukraine FROM BOJO WITH LOVE PM to hand armoured missile launchers to Ukraine to blitz Putin's army KILLING FIELDS Bucha massacre victims buried in mass grave - as Putin gives killers a medal Russian media later claimed images display “the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, a nuclear weapons store near Murmansk, submarines in the Far East peninsula of Kamchatka, and a military airbase in the Western city of Kursk”. The images of Russia’s bases came as Putin’s forces hit more than 300 Ukrainian military targets overnight in the first major missile strike in weeks. Vladimir Putin‘s forces claimed to have hit fuel depots, warehouses and other vital infrastructure in eastern Ukraine, killing six people. Most read in The Sun 'GREATEST PAIN' Ronaldo reveals one of his twin babies has died after girlfriend gave birth BRUNO SMASH Bruno Fernandes in horror car crash as dramatic pics show smashed-up Porsche mini fudge Love Island's Siannise Fudge confuses fans with surprise 'pregnancy bump' photo 'heartbroken beyond words' Charlotte Dawson reveals she suffered a miscarriage SING STAR I was in tears - I had to own it or I’d crumble, says BGT 'fake' audition row dad 'THANKS ASDA' I'm mum of 7 and I was fuming when Asda said my £20 Easter eggs 'don't exist' The Kremlin was seeking revenge for the embarrassing sinking of its flagship Moskva by Ukrainian troops over the weekend. Images have emerged of the warship in flames and sinking in the Black Sea after being hit Ukrainian missiles. And last night, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the long-feared “battle for the Donbas” is finally underway. Explosions were heard along the entire front as Putin launched a major new offensive to seize control of the east. Ukrainian outlets reported a series of explosions in Kharkiv, Nikolaev and in the suburbs of Donetsk. In other Ukraine news: Boris Johnson will hand Stormer armoured missile launchers to Ukraine to unleash hell on Putin’s army;Russia has begun major new offensive to seize eastern Ukraine, Zelensky says;Hundreds of Bucha massacre victims buried in mass grave as Putin gives the killers award for ‘heroism and bravery’; Vengeful Russians blitz civilians in Ukraine with long-range missiles in revenge for warship attack. And videos on social media appeared to show a blitz on towns as anti-aircraft fire lit up the night sky. Zelensky’s comments follow warnings from other senior officials that Russia has begun its assault on the eastern region on Monday. In a video address he said: “We can now confirm that Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, which they have been preparing for a long time. “A large part of the Russian army is now dedicated to this offensive.” Read More on The Sun 'heartbroken beyond words' Charlotte Dawson reveals she suffered a miscarriage KNIFE PANIC 'Knifeman', 29, tasered yards from Downing St after confronting cops The brave Ukrainian leader refused to be cowed by the latest Russian attack, saying: “No matter how many Russian soldiers are brought here, we will fight. We will defend ourselves.” Zelensky’s chief of staff said the assault on the Donbas marked the start of the “second phase” of the war. GoogleGoogle has insisted the images were always available[/caption] Videos on social media appear to show the shelling of Ukraine’s eastern region President Zelensky said that the “battle for the Donbas” had begun Civilians in some regions have been killed in residential areas by relentless shelling