On the night of 13 July, north of Kerch, near the Kerch Bridge, explosions and a fire were reported at Russian air defence positions, presumably at a «Pantsir-S1» complex. At the same time, an oil terminal and a railway line were on fire at the port of Kavkaz in the Krasnodar Krai. Satellite images confirm damage to key Russian logistics and defence facilities. There has been no official response from the Russian side regarding the damage at the port of Kavkaz.
Briefly about the main points
- Explosions and a fire near Kerch at air defence positions on 13 July.
- At the port of «Kavkaz», the oil terminal and the railway have been hit.
- Satellite images confirm the extent of the damage.
- The SBU has announced that several air defence systems in the region have been destroyed.
- There has been no official response from the Russian Federation regarding the port of «Kavkaz» as yet.
Attacks on air defence systems near Kerch: confirmed facts
On the night of 13 July, north of Kerch, on Mount Khroni near the village of Glazivka, explosions and a fire were reported at Russian air defence positions. According to the «Crimean Wind» group and satellite imagery, the «Pantsir-S1» system, which was providing cover for the port of «Crimea», was hit and The Kerch Bridge.
The SBU had previously confirmed damage two S-400 systems and two Pantsir-S1 systems near the Kerch Strait. This is now the fourth Pantsir-S1 to have been hit in this area over the past month. There are currently no official figures on the extent of the damage.
Fires at the «Kavkaz» port and on the railway
In the Krasnodar Region, the following has come under attack the port of «Kavkaz», where a fire was reported at a petroleum products transhipment complex. Railway infrastructure was also damaged, as confirmed by satellite imagery and reports from local sources.
There has been no official response from the Russian authorities regarding the incident at the port of Kavkaz. It is known that the port and the railway play a key role in facilitating logistics between Crimea and the Russian mainland.
Context: strikes against Crimea’s logistics and air defence systems
Ukrainian forces, in particular the SBU and drone units, are consistently targeting the logistical and defence infrastructure of Crimea and neighbouring regions of the Russian Federation. The targets of these strikes include air defence systems, airfields, energy hubs and ports.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has previously noted that Russia has redeployed a significant number of air defence systems to Moscow and the Kerch Bridge, thereby weakening defences in other regions. This creates further opportunities to strike targets in Crimea.
Reactions from the parties
The SBU has confirmed that several air defence systems and hangars at Saki airfield have been hit. The Kremlin has described the strikes on energy infrastructure as «terrorist» and stated that measures are being taken to minimise the consequences.
Gazprom reported a drone attack on the «Krasnodarskaya» compressor station on the «Blue Stream», which supplies gas to Turkey. Gas supplies have not been cut off; repair work is ongoing. This could have international consequences if the attacks continue.
Strategic implications for the defence of Crimea
An editorial analysis suggests that strikes against Crimea’s air defence systems and logistics infrastructure may form part of a strategy to isolate the peninsula and weaken its defence capabilities. Russia’s relocation of air defence systems to Moscow and the Kerch Bridge leaves other regions vulnerable.
The exact extent of the damage remains unknown, as does whether there have been any casualties amongst civilians or personnel. The lack of official information from the Russian Federation makes it difficult to assess the full impact of the attacks; however, confirmed satellite data indicates a significant impact on the region’s logistics and defence capabilities.
