Key Ports On Both Sides Of The Kerch Strait Are Ablaze
- 21.06.2026, 11:18
Ukrainian drones launched powerful strikes on Kerch and the "Caucasus."
Since last night, numerous explosions have been heard in Kerch, located in the temporarily occupied Crimea, and Russian air defense systems have been active: the peninsula was attacked by drones. Reports circulated online about strikes in various parts of the city, according to OBOZ.UA.
In particular, the port in Kerch was hit, where a fire broke out at the terminal for transshipment and storage of petroleum products and liquefied gas; at the same time, the “Kavkaz” port in the Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation—from which fuel is delivered to Crimea by ferry—was also struck. The Telegram channel Exilenova+ has compiled information on the aftermath of the attack and video footage from the scene.
An Explosive Night in Kerch
The channel began reporting on the explosions in Kerch and the fire near the local port after 1 a.m.
“Kerch is under a massive attack by strike drones. There are reports of strikes in various parts of the city and a fire at the port,” read one of the channel’s first reports.
Footage taken by eyewitnesses shows that a large-scale fire has broken out at the port.
“A massive attack by strike drones took place in Kerch this morning; explosions were heard throughout the city. A strike on the port has been confirmed; footage from the UAVs will likely be released today, and you’ll learn a lot of interesting details. It appears they are clearing a path toward the Crimean Bridge to block it or inflict damage,” Exilenova+ speculated.
The Falcon Insight channel also confirms the attack on the port in Kerch (and elsewhere).
“June 21, 2026, Kerch, Crimea. Possible targets include the Kerch seaport, the industrial zone, and the TES-Terminal—specifically, the railway terminal for transshipment and storage of petroleum products and liquefied gas: 45°20'04.25"N 36°27'57.93"E,” the report states.
Shortly thereafter, the channel’s authors confirmed that the terminal for the transshipment and storage of petroleum products and liquefied gas at coordinates 45°21'48.30"N 36°28'15.30"E.
The “Garbuz” channel on Dnipro Osint reached the same conclusion.
“Following a nighttime UAV attack, a tank farm is on fire in the port of Kerch. It appears the barrels were full; the fire is extensive,” the report notes.
Falcon Insight also pointed to the likely destruction of positions belonging to military unit 98546.
“This unit number belongs to the 630th Separate Railway Maintenance Battalion, part of the Russian Federation’s 39th Separate Railway Brigade: 45°21'06.19"N 36°35'39.63"E,” the channel noted.
At the same time as the attack on Crimea, drones appeared in the Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation, specifically at the port of “Kavkaz,” from where the Russians transport petroleum products by ferry to the occupied peninsula.
According to Falcon Insight estimates, the targets there likely included a petroleum products transshipment complex (45°20'09.15"N 36°40'18.90"E) and a storage and staging area prior to loading onto the ferry (45°20'31.62"N 36°40'42.92"E).
Fires following the attack in Kerch and at the “Kavkaz” port
The attack on the Krasnodar Krai was reported by the operational headquarters of that Russian region. They reported strikes on the Kerch ferry crossing and an oil terminal.
“In the Temryuk District, the ferry ‘Panagia’ was attacked at the Kerch crossing.” According to preliminary information, one person was killed and another was injured. Additionally, as a result of the UAV attack, a fire broke out at the oil terminal in the village of Chushka. Fire and rescue units have arrived at the scene,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, Exilenova+ reported that as of 6 a.m., fires in the ports of Kerch and Kavkaz were still burning, as confirmed by data from the FIRMS system and footage posted by local residents.
“Two additional fire outbreaks have also been recorded: one in the village of Kurortnoye, where an air defense facility is located, and the second in the Kerch area, on the grounds of military unit No. 98546,” the statement said.