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Ukraine disrupts Russian logistics with sustained drone campaign
Ukraine's intensified drone attacks on Russian-occupied territories have severely disrupted Moscow's supply lines, deepening a fuel crisis in Crimea and other occupied regions. The strikes, targeting key roads and bridges, have slashed military cargo traffic by over 70% since late May, according to Ukrainian commanders.
Crimea's fuel shortages spark civilian frustration
Crimea, illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, is facing acute fuel shortages after Ukrainian strikes damaged critical infrastructure. Residents report waiting up to 10 hours at petrol stations, where supplies are now rationed to 20 litres per customer. Social media videos show long queues, while tourists stranded in the region struggle to secure fuel to leave.
Sergei Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea, acknowledged the crisis on 5 June, stating that fuel demand could not be fully met. Hundreds of buses have been grounded, and prices for petrol and diesel have surged.
"I walk to work now. Of course, this is less convenient than driving, but not a huge problem. All I've got to do now is buy a horse!"
A Simferopol resident, speaking to independent website Bereg
Key supply routes targeted
The R-280 motorway, linking Rostov in southern Russia to Crimea via Mariupol, has been a primary focus of Ukrainian strikes. Clément Molin, an analyst at French think tank Atum Mundi, described the road as "the backbone of Russian occupation in the south." Since May, Ukraine has conducted 300 drone attacks on trucks along the route, including 30 fuel tankers.
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's drone forces, reported a 71% drop in military cargo traffic on the road between late May and early June. The Chonhar bridge in northern Crimea, another critical link, was damaged in strikes on 6-7 June and 8-9 June, halting traffic entirely.
Russia's energy ministry acknowledges supply disruptions
On 8 June, Russia's energy ministry admitted to fuel supply problems in "southern regions," a likely reference to occupied Ukrainian territories. The ministry attributed the shortages to "enemy air attacks" and announced the creation of a permanent headquarters to address the crisis.
Craig Kennedy, a Russia oil industry expert at Harvard University's Davis Center, told the BBC that land routes via Mariupol are now the only viable option for fuel deliveries, as sea routes and the Kerch Bridge remain too risky. "You're vulnerable all along the way," he said.
Strikes extend beyond Crimea
Ukraine's drone campaign has also targeted logistics in Luhansk and Kherson, with attacks carried out by units like the 413th separate battalion "Raid." Yevhen Karas, the battalion's commander, told the BBC that Russian air defences offered little resistance during recent missions.
"The main dish is Russian storage, oil and fuel tanks, buildings, and even small bunkers with Russian officers."
Yevhen Karas, commander of Ukraine's 413th battalion
Karas acknowledged the risks of civilian casualties but denied deliberate targeting of non-military vehicles. "Mistakes can happen," he said, "but this is not a deliberate targeting of civilian vehicles."
Civilian movement restricted amid escalating attacks
Russian-installed authorities in Luhansk have banned bus services on two key roads to Mariupol and Crimea, citing security concerns. Pro-Kremlin military analysts, such as the Telegram channel Rybar, argue that the strikes are undermining Russia's military capabilities in the south.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that nearly 40% of Russia's primary oil refining capacity was disabled in May due to Ukrainian long-range strikes. Kennedy noted that Ukraine is now shifting focus from large refineries to smaller distribution networks, amplifying the impact on local populations and military logistics.
Russia reports civilian casualties
Russia has accused Ukraine of causing civilian deaths, including a drone strike on a bus in Kherson and a commuter train in Crimea. On Monday, Aksyonov claimed a Ukrainian drone killed an assistant train driver and injured the driver in another attack on a passenger train.
Karas did not comment on specific incidents but emphasized that the region is a high-traffic area where military and civilian vehicles coexist. "Heavy trucks and large transport vehicles are all at risk," he said.
