Drones attack Russian-occupied Crimea, reportedly damaging ferry crossing and boat

On the morning of August 16, multiple explosions occurred in various cities of temporarily occupied Crimea, including Sevastopol, Kerch, Feodosia, and Chornomorsk. The so-called "authorities" in Sevastopol claimed that the explosions were caused by unmanned aerial vehicles, but details about the extent and aftermath of the incident are still unclear.

The occupation authorities and the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported this.

The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported that the explosions in Kerch may have resulted from attacks on a ferry and a boat. The channel also claimed that Russian air defense forces were active over Kerch, sharing video footage as evidence.

There was speculation that the strike may have targeted Mount Mithridates, where the Pantsir-S1 air defense system was stationed. Following the explosion, reports claimed that a raging fire erupted in the area, but later, witnesses refuted any damage to the equipment.

"According to the subscribers, it is most likely that its [Pantsir-S1 system's – ed.] rockets went astray, and it was firing indiscriminately; the yards in the area of ​​the bus station were hit," the message reads.

At the same time, the Crimean Wind channel reported smoke coming from the ferry crossing in Kerch and a fire in the Kamianka area near Simferopol.

In Sevastopol, according to Kremlin-appointed "governor" Mykhail Razvozhayev, UAV attacks were recorded, and he said that three drones were allegedly shot down over the city.

There were also reports of explosions in Chornomorsky, with Crimean Wind stating that explosions were heard at 4:31 near Vuzka Bay. Following that, helicopters were seen patrolling over the city, and gunshots could be heard.

"Helicopters are patrolling over the Black Sea, and shooting was heard," Crimean Wind wrote with reference to its subscribers.

Serhii Bratchuk, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army "South," confirmed that during the attack, a ferry crossing in Kerch and a boat in Chornomorskyi were damaged.

"A night attack on Crimea, previously affected: a ferry crossing in the port of Kerch; a boat in the Black Sea. Reconnaissance is ongoing," the spokesman of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army "South" Serhii Bratchuk said.

The Russian Ministry of Defense then announced that it had successfully intercepted and destroyed five UAVs over the Black Sea. It also claims that its firepower was able to take out two unmanned boats headed towards the peninsula.

Satellites detected multiple fires on the outskirts of Kerch, specifically in the vicinity of the "Kerch" stele.

For reference:

On the night of August 9, Ukrainian scouts used a MAGURA V5 attack marine drone to destroy a Russian high-speed boat, "Tunets," near the Black Sea in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Also, on August 6, a fire broke out in the center of Crimea near the Oktiabrske airfield. The detonation was heard in the ammunition warehouses there.

In addition, on August 3, it became known that in the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck an enemy submarine and an anti-aircraft missile complex, S-400.

Submarine B-237 "Rostov-on-Don" (according to NATO classification – Kilo class) is one of four Kilo-class submarines capable of using Kalibr missiles.