Explosions reported in occupied Crimea, fires break out in Kerch – photos, videos
The occupation authorities announced the closure of the Crimean Bridge shortly before 01:00 on Sunday 21 June, while reports emerged on social media about explosions in Crimea and fires caused by strikes in Kerch.
Source: Krymskiy Most: Operativnaya Informatsiya (Crimean Bridge: Operational Information) on Telegram; Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev; Krymskiy Veter (Crimean Wind), a local Telegram channel
Details: The Crimean Bridge has been temporarily closed to traffic.
"Those currently on the bridge and in the inspection zone are asked to stay calm and follow the instructions of transport security personnel," Krymskiy Most: Operativnaya Informatsiya said.
Earlier, Razvozhayev had reported that an air-raid warning had been issued in Sevastopol.
Crimean Telegram channels reported explosions near Cape Fiolent and in other parts of occupied Crimea.
Update: Later, Razvozhayev reported a drone attack and that air defence was responding in Sevastopol.
Meanwhile, Krymskiy Veter reported that a fuel terminal at the seaport in Kerch was on fire following strikes: "Thick black smoke is billowing."
Details: There were also reports on Telegram channels of a strike in Bilohirsk, where a fire broke out and thick black smoke was seen.
According to these reports, a power substation was likely burning.
Throughout the night, Telegram channels reported additional explosions across Crimea and power outages in the Dzhankoi district.
Update: On Sunday morning, Krymskiy Veter reported that a terminal at the commercial seaport in Kerch is still burning intensely.
Citing satellite imagery, the channel posted reports that the number of thermal signatures was increasing.
Most of the signatures are located on the premises of AEGAZ-Terminal, a specialised complex for cargo handling and liquefied gas transshipment.
A fuel terminal owned by the TES petrol station network is located 600 m to the west.
Krymskiy Veter also reported a major fire at Port Kavkaz on the Chushka Spit on the Russian side of the Kerch Strait. A fuel terminal and oil depot are located there.
In addition, a major fire was recorded at Cape Ziuk near the village of Kurortne on the Sea of Azov coast of the Kerch Peninsula. According to Krymskiy Veter, this is the location of a Russian air defence position, particularly a radar station on the cape and an S-300/S-400 air defence system position to the south.
Another major fire was recorded in Kerch on the premises of Russian military unit 98546 (the 630th Separate Railway Battalion).
Social media users also reported another fire in the area of the Chongar Bridge.
Background:
- Earlier, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck the Hlibivske underground gas storage facility on the Tarkhankut Peninsula along with several Russian air defence assets in temporarily occupied Crimea.
- Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, also reported strikes on a number of gas facilities in Crimea on the night of 19-20 June.
Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!