Ukrainian drones cripple Russia's main supply route in Crimea
Kerch ferry crossing loses 75% of its capacity after Ukrainian drone force strikes (photo: wikimedia.org)
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), together with other special services, almost completely paralyzed the Kerch ferry crossing as a result of successful operations. Of the five ferries that supported Russian military logistics, most have been destroyed or seriously damaged, according to USF unit commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi.
Ferries put out of service
The military commander says that before the operation, four regular ferries transported vehicles and cargo between the Port Kavkaz and the Port Krym terminals, while a fifth vessel remained in reserve at the Port of Kerch.
The situation changed dramatically during the first two weeks of July.
The results of the strikes as of July 19 are as follows:
- Yeysk ferry: Successfully struck by the USF on July 12 and 13. It was towed to the Port of Kerch, and there are no plans to repair it or return it to service.
- SKS One cargo vessel: Completely destroyed by the USF following attacks on July 7, 12, and 13. The vessel is lying in the Port of Kamysh-Burun and cannot be restored.
- Maria ferry: Sustained multiple strikes throughout July by the USF and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). It was towed to Kerch with no prospect of being repaired.
- Lavrentiy and Panagia ferries: Damaged in strikes by the USF, the SBU, and Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR). Both vessels have lost the ability to operate under their own power. They are now used only as barges and must be towed by tugboats, reducing their operational capability by half.
Kerch ferry crossing lost 75% of its capacity (photo: t.me/robert_magyar)
Why this is critical for Russia
The Kerch ferry crossing previously had a capacity of 180-250 vehicles per day under normal conditions. Each ferry could carry between eight and 15 vehicles, depending on their size and weight.
At the same time, 80% of all traffic handled by the Kerch ferry crossing was allocated to the Defense Ministry of Russia to support military logistics.
Russian logistics eliminated
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces continue a large-scale and sustained campaign to dismantle Russian military capabilities in the Black Sea region.
The ongoing destruction of the Kerch ferry crossing is part of a broader long-term special operation aimed at a complete isolation of the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
In particular, on the night of July 19, Ukrainian drones carried out a large-scale strike that hit 13 electrical substations in occupied Crimea and four vessels from Russia's shadow fleet in the Black Sea. The drive further disrupted both the logistics network and the power supply supporting Russian troops.
The strike was a direct continuation of the Ukrainian systematic campaign against Russian maritime assets.
One day earlier, on the night of July 18, Ukrainian drones carried out another successful operation, striking 13 more vessels from Russia's shadow fleet in the Black and Azov seas.
Ukrainian Defense Forces have maintained a high tempo of strikes throughout the month. During the first 12 days of the active phase of Operation MoLoCHKa, Ukrainian naval drones destroyed 12 vessels from the shadow fleet of Russia in a single day, effectively depriving the Russian Defense Ministry of the ability to safely transport military equipment and ammunition by sea.
The systematic disabling of ferries and other logistics vessels pushes the Russian forces in southern Ukraine into a deep supply crisis.
