Explosions Heard in Crimea at Night, Fires Break Out in Kerch

Explosions were heard in various areas of annexed Crimea. Drone activity was reported, Russian mobile fire groups (MFGs) were operating, fires broke out in Kerch, and traffic on the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge was temporarily halted.

It was reported by the local monitoring channels, according to Krym Realii.

Explosions were heard in the settlement of Chornomorske, Yevpatoria, the Saky district, Feodosia, Simferopol, and Kerch (in the area of Mount Mithridates).

The pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel “Crimean Wind” reported a fire at Kerch’s Central Market following the fall of debris from a downed drone.

“Crimean Wind” also reported that “another fire in Kerch was recorded near the Kerch Bridge, in a temporary settlement for its construction workers.”

Due to the fire, power supply was temporarily cut off to some buildings in central Kerch, according to the local Telegram channel “WeKerch.RF – Crimea News”.

Traffic on the Kerch Bridge was suspended for two hours overnight.

In its morning briefing, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that 131 Ukrainian UAVs had allegedly been destroyed overnight over the territories of 10 Russian regions, annexed Crimea, and the Black Sea waters.

The Ukrainian military has not yet commented on the strikes.

In June and July, military and energy facilities, as well as Russian logistics routes in Crimea, have been subjected to the most intense Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks since the beginning of the full-scale war. Reports of new targets being hit appear daily. Due to fuel shortages, Crimea has banned the sale of gasoline to civilians. Children’s health resorts and camps have canceled the admission of holidaymakers until September.

Explaining the purpose of the strikes, former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said that “Crimea is being isolated by drones.” According to him, this could lead to “very unexpected consequences for the Russians.”

EMPR