Famous nature reserves closed in Crimea: Opuk and Kazantip

In 2026, visits to the natural areas of the Kerch Peninsula in the temporarily occupied Crimea will be limited. We are talking about the Oputsky Nature Reserve and Kazantip Nature Reserve, which will remain closed to tourists.

According to Krym.Realii, this was reported by the Russian-controlled institution "Protected Crimea". They noted that in the new season both protected areas will be inaccessible for organized visits.

The Oputsky Nature Reserve on Cape Opuk was closed on April 1, 2025, explaining it by the "political situation". Since then, the restrictions have been in place indefinitely.

At the same time, the Kazantip Reserve on Cape Kazantip has been in the so-called "silence mode" since November 2025. It was expected that access would be restored in the spring of 2026, but these plans were not realized.

The occupation directorate states that the restrictions were imposed "for reasons beyond the control of the institution" without specifying details.

At the same time, it is known that after the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the territory near Cape Opuk is used as a military training ground where those mobilized to participate in the war against Ukraine are trained.

As Intent wrote earlier, the consequences of a strike on a strategic facility, the Offshore Oil Terminal, were recorded in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

As a reminder, on the evening of April 7 and on the night of April 8, a series of explosions occurred in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

In particular, an explosion was reported near Simferopol at about 21:50, after which a fighter jet was taken off from the Belbek airfield. Eyewitnesses also reported several waves of UAVs, shooting, and new explosions in different parts of the peninsula.

The most resonant was the information about a possible strike on an oil depot in Feodosia. According to sources, at about 01:00, after at least three drones flew overhead, an explosion occurred and a fire broke out on the territory of the Sea Oil Terminal JSC.

As a reminder, on the evening of April 4 and on the night of April 5, explosions were heard in occupied Sevastopol and other areas of Crimea, and Russian air defense was operating.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, Crimea has been regularly attacked by drones and missiles, but the Russian authorities usually do not confirm possible hits on military facilities.

Андрій Колісніченко