Ukraine has previously weakened Crimea’s air defenses and practically paralyzed the entire Russian Black Sea fleet. It has enabled a new kind of activity in the area.
In May, Ukraine has again accelerated its attacks on Crimea.
The night before Thursday, Ukraine destroyed the one placed in the city of Armiansk of the Nebo-SVU radar system, which protected Russian military targets from Ukrainian attacks. The radar is said to have been worth 100 million dollars (92 million euros).
On Friday, Ukraine destroyed two locks running between the port of Kavkaz and Crimea and damaged an oil terminal located in the same port.
Transfer of new military equipment to Crimea blocked
Spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy Dmytro Pletentchuk tells Politicothat the attacks have made it even more difficult for Russia to hold on to Crimea.
Port connections near the Kerch Strait bridge are extremely important for Russia at the moment. The bridge to Crimea was damaged by the Ukrainian attacks in 2022 and 2023, and according to Pletentchuk, it cannot withstand the transportation of heavy military equipment.
It forces Russia to transport equipment along the railway lines running through other occupied Ukrainian territories. However, the rail connections in the regions are more accessible to Ukrainian missiles, and the new train tracks to Crimea have not even been completed yet.
– The ferry connection was the most important route for the Russian army. Now the logistics connection by sea is also a thing of the past, because we have destroyed four and damaged five of their ferries, Pletentšuk tells Politico.
Russia’s grip is weakening
In the past, Ukraine has also weakened Crimea’s air defenses and practically paralyzed the entire Russian Black Sea fleet. Last humiliation was seen on Thursdaywhen Ukrainian sea drones destroyed four KS-701 patrol boats belonging to the Russian security service FSB in one strike.
Russia lost a quarter of its patrol boats in the Black Sea in an instant. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the boats in question may not look great, but they have been very practical for Russia in controlling the sea areas of Crimea.
Pletentchuk does not tell Politico about Ukraine’s plans in more detail, but sends a clear message to the Russians occupying the peninsula.
– I think this is a clear hint to the occupiers who have illegally moved to the area in the last ten years. There are fewer and fewer options for leaving Crimea. They should leave now, because soon it will be impossible.