(Updated: )
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia claims its forces downed 21 Ukrainian drones over occupied Crimea and the Black Sea early on July 23, while local Telegram channels reported explosions on the peninsula.
Residents reported hearing sounds of explosions in the community of Dzhankoi in northern Crimea, the Telegram channel Crimean Wind wrote.
Traffic was also reportedly halted on the Kerch Bridge connecting mainland Russia with occupied Crimea, Astra reported.
The drones attacked a ferry ship at the Port of Kavkaz, which lies in the Kerch Strait separating the peninsula from Russia's Krasnodar Krai, the region's governor, Veniamin Kondratyev, claimed.
"Emergency services are on the scene. The fire is localized, there is no danger of its spreading," Kondratyev said on Telegram, adding, "Unfortunately, there are injured and one killed among crew members and port employees."
The official did not provide details on the damage dealt to the vessel.
Ukraine has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.
The ferry crossing, representing a key logistical connection between the occupied peninsula and mainland Russia, was hit several times in late May with Ukrainian drones and missiles.
Earlier in the night, occupation authorities claimed that 15 Ukrainian drones were downed over the Black Sea.
The Russian Defense Ministry said later in the morning that as many as 21 drones were shot down over the occupied peninsula and the sea.
The occupied peninsula has been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drone and naval strikes, forcing Russian forces to withdraw much of its naval power and beef up air defenses.
Nate Ostiller
