The night of July 16 to 17 marked another stage in the prolonged confrontation on the southern front. Occupied Crimea, coastal cities, and the waters of the Black Sea were subjected to a massive drone attack. As a result of the strikes, numerous fires erupted across the peninsula and in the sea, causing significant damage to infrastructure.
Large-Scale Operation: From Kerch to Yevpatoria
According to data compiled by RBK-Ukraine from reports by the pro-Ukrainian Telegram channel "Crimean Wind" and other sources, the active phase of the attack began around 21:40 and continued until dawn. Explosions were heard in key settlements of the peninsula: Kerch, Simferopol, Feodosia, and Yevpatoria. This indicates a coordinated operation covering a significant territory.
Strikes on Logistics and Energy
Transport infrastructure was one of the main targets. By morning, OSINT channels recorded large-scale fires at the Kerch railway station. Thermal anomaly data was also confirmed by the NASA FIRMS satellite monitoring service. Presumably, the fire engulfed warehouses and cargo sorting hubs.
In addition to logistics hubs, the energy sector was also hit. Monitoring channels recorded a fire near the "Koktebel" substation, close to the settlement of Shchetovka. There was also information about damage to energy facilities in Berdyansk, where fires arose as a result of the attacks.
Strikes on the "Shadow Fleet" in the Black Sea
A significant portion of the effort was directed at maritime targets. In the Black Sea, tankers belonging to the so-called Russian "shadow fleet" were struck again. Preliminary data suggests that about 6-7 vessels were attacked. Such strikes deal a serious blow to logistical chains and the export of Russian resources.
Escalation: Recent Events
The current attack is not an isolated event. On the night of July 16, Crimea was already subjected to strikes: fires were recorded near two gas stations in Dzhankoy, and a fire broke out near the strategically important Crimean Bridge.
Furthermore, yesterday's news brought information about the destruction of Russian aviation. The special forces of the National Guard's "Omega" Special Operations Center destroyed a Russian Su-24M bomber at the "Saki" military airfield in Crimea. These events vividly demonstrate the growing activity and expansion of the geography of strikes against the enemy's military and civilian objects.
