Ukraine outlines broader strategy for weakening Russia's grip on Crimea
Photo: The Crimean Bridge across the Kerch Strait (Getty Images)
Ukraine has chosen a different tactic regarding occupied Crimea. Instead of striking the Crimean Bridge, the Defense Forces are gradually isolating the peninsula by destroying supply routes used by Russian troops, according to the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS), Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, in an interview with British journalist Caolan Robertson.
According to Brovdi, Ukrainian forces have focused on destroying Russian logistics and creating conditions that will make it increasingly difficult for Russia to maintain its presence in Crimea.
"There is no fuel in Crimea, and I want to tell you that there will be none there," he said.
The commander noted that Ukraine is deliberately not striking the Crimean Bridge.
"We are not touching the Crimean Bridge, if you haven't noticed. Let them f*** *** through it. Let all those millions (of people and supplies - ed.) keep f****** pouring across that little bridge, for f**** sake, non-stop back to their Russia," Brovdi added.
According to him, Ukrainian forces are instead focusing on striking the logistics network that supplies the Russian military grouping on the occupied peninsula.
This includes routes used to transport fuel, ammunition, personnel, and military equipment that are used for combat operations in southern Ukraine and for launching strikes on Ukrainian cities.
"Madyar" emphasized that Ukraine is creating conditions for the effective isolation of the occupied peninsula for the first time in history, without carrying out a large-scale ground operation.
"We are creating conditions that make their presence there impossible, without losing a single Ukrainian soldier's life. We are doing this entirely remotely," he explained.
The commander also said that Ukrainian forces will continue attacking Russian tankers supplying fuel to Crimea.
According to him, 21 tankers were hit within just three days, and further strikes will continue.
Operations by Ukraine's Armed Forces against the Russian fleet
On the night of July 9, Ukraine's Defense Forces launched a major strike against Russian targets in the Sea of Azov. The attack hit 12 vessels, as well as an oil terminal and an ammunition depot used by Russian forces.
Already on the night of July 11, Ukrainian forces carried out another operation during which, according to Ukraine's General Staff, they struck 21 Russian tankers, as well as tugboats, bulk carriers, and other vessels used for military logistics and sanctions evasion.
As "Madyar" clarified, Ukrainian defenders struck a total of 76 Russian vessels between July 6 and July 11.
In addition, on the night of July 13, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces attacked another 15 vessels from Russia's so-called shadow fleet.
