Kerch

Kerch (; , ; Old East Slavic: Кърчевъ; Ancient Greek: , Pantikápaion; Medieval Greek: , Bosporos; ), also known as Keriç or Kerich, is a city of regional significance on the Kerch Peninsula in the east of Crimea. Kerch has a population of about Founded 2,600 years ago as an ancient Greek colony, Kerch is considered to be one of the most ancient cities in Crimea. The city experienced rapid growth starting in the 1920s and was the site of a major battle during World War II. Today, it is one of the largest cities in Crimea and is among the area's most important industrial, transport and tourist centres. As with the other parts of Crimea, it is currently occupied by Russian forces following the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014. History