These battles took place on 20 June and 9 July (Old Style) 1774 south of Kerch, Ukraine. June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ... 1774 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

On 20 June a Turkish force of 5 battleships, 9 frigates and 26 galleys and xebecs surprised a Russian force, under Vice-Admiral Senyavin, of 3 frigates, 4 16-gun vessels, 2 bombs and 3 small craft and tried to cut it off. The Russians anchored just outside the Kerch Strait and sailed toward Kerch the next day. June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ...

On 9 July, the Turks, needing to destroy the Russian ships so their land army could cross the Kerch Strait, attacked, but abandoned the effort after it was found that the Russian bombs had a greater range. The Turkish force that day consisted of 6 battleships, 7 frigates, 1 bomb and 17 galleys and xebecs. July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ...