The Russian occupation of Crimea has taken a significant hit with Ukraine intensifying its military operations against the peninsula, targeting supply lines and disrupting vital transport routes that link it to mainland Russia. The heightened campaign of strikes by Ukrainian forces has triggered an emergency response from Russian-installed authorities in Crimea, who have implemented measures to ration fuel supplies and restrict public events.
On Sunday, Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed governor of Crimea, announced a suspension of civilian fuel sales until at least Wednesday, restricting supply to only government agencies deemed essential for maintaining order and security. This drastic move underscores the impact of Ukrainian strikes on the peninsula's logistical network. Furthermore, local authorities have curtailed street lighting in parts of Crimea and cancelled all public events, reflecting the escalating state of alert.
Recent weeks have seen a wave of Ukrainian medium-range strikes targeting Crimea and key transport routes connecting it to Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that an oil depot in Crimea and an oil transport facility in Russia's Krasnodar region were among the targets, characterising these attacks as part of Ukraine's 'long-range sanctions' against Moscow.
The focus of these strikes has been on severing the peninsula's primary supply lines, particularly the Novorossiya highway, a crucial logistics corridor connecting Crimea to Russia's Rostov region. The Kerch Bridge, a vital maritime link and a key target for Ukrainian forces, remains severely restricted following a 2022 Ukrainian attack that damaged the crossing and ignited a fuel train.
The recent disruptions are taking a severe economic toll on Crimea, particularly its tourism sector during peak season. Residents have been queuing for hours at petrol stations, and tour companies are reporting widespread cancellations. According to Yelena Shtringel, director of TurEtno, approximately 80% of June bookings and half of July and August reservations had been cancelled.
Source: RBC news, Rybar Telegram channel