Ukraine Launches New Phase of Crimea Operation Targeting Sea Fuel Routes
According to the US Institute for the Study of War, Ukraine has started a new phase to weaken Russian forces in Crimea, focusing on fuel supply routes by sea.
Ukrainian defense forces have initiated a new phase in their strategy to isolate the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula, according to the latest report from the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Special attention is being paid to fuel supply routes by sea.
Analysts suggest that Ukraine's tactical shift is driven by the fact that prolonged strikes on Russian ground logistics have forced occupation forces to increasingly use maritime routes to deliver fuel to Crimea.
ISW highlights an attack that took place on the night of July 8-9. According to Commander Robert Brovdi of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, Ukrainian drones struck 14 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov, including 12 fuel carriers, a tugboat, and a dry cargo ship. Over four days, a total of 35 various Russian ships were damaged.
ISW analysts believe that Ukrainian strikes on sea supply routes could further complicate Russia's ability to supply occupied Crimea. If the delivery of fuel and other resources becomes increasingly difficult, the peninsula's logistical problems could worsen.
Ukraine has previously repeatedly targeted Russian military infrastructure and supply lines in Crimea, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014.
