Key facts
- Ukrainian forces conducted overnight strikes on Russian-occupied Crimea.
- Fires were detected at a ferry terminal near the Kerch Strait.
- Fires were also reported at a military airfield in Dzhankoy.
- Explosions were heard across the peninsula.
- Ukraine has been intensifying its drone campaign against Crimea.
Ukrainian military forces continued their barrage of attacks on targets in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on July 4, striking key infrastructure on the peninsula. According to Russian Telegram media channels, NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) detected fires at various locations, including the ferry terminal off the Kerch Strait. Photos posted to social media by local residents purport to show several fires near the city of Kerch following a Ukrainian drone attack, with explosions also heard throughout the night.
Fires were also reported at a military airfield in the northern Crimean city of Dzhankoy, a day after Ukrainian strikes targeted the Saky air base. The extent of the damage remains unclear, and The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the reports. Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the strikes.
Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign against occupied Crimea in recent weeks, aiming to isolate the peninsula and degrade its military infrastructure. Russian-installed authorities in Crimea announced a regional state of emergency on June 26 due to ongoing attacks disrupting energy and fuel supplies. In June alone, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces reportedly destroyed or seriously damaged 172 Russian defense industry and fuel and energy facilities, along with nearly 3,000 additional military targets. Recent attacks have led to fuel shortages, with authorities suspending fuel sales to civilians on June 21, though restrictions have since been eased, social media videos show long wait times at service stations.