Russians are fortifying Crimea and laying mines along the coast out of fear of an amphibious assault, according to the Navy
The Russian army is actively preparing the temporarily occupied Crimea for a potential Ukrainian amphibious landing. The occupiers are erecting fortifications and laying mines on beaches on a massive scale, viewing such a scenario as a real possibility.
According to Pletenchuk, despite the development of modern air defense and anti-ship defense systems, classic amphibious operations remain relevant in modern warfare.
“There is an axiom: a territory is not considered liberated until an infantryman sets foot on it. In the case of the Navy, that’s a marine. And we conduct regular training exercises in amphibious operations,” he noted.
According to the Ukrainian military, the occupiers are turning the Crimean coast into a continuous defensive line, fearing possible actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
• Massive beach mining—potential landing sites are completely
mined• Fortifications — construction of concrete fortifications, bunkers, and machine-gun positions•
Engineering obstacles — creation of additional barriers for vehicles and infantry•
Air cover — maintaining air forces to defend the peninsula
The Ukrainian Navy acknowledges that a potential amphibious operation in Crimea would be extremely difficult and risky, as the fortified shores resemble historic sites of the most challenging military landings.
“To many, this brings to mind D-Day on Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944, because these are extremely difficult operations… It is extremely difficult to land troops there. But we have our own marines,” Pletenchuk concluded.
He also added that he is personally ready to join an amphibious operation when the time is right. According to him, Ukrainian forces continue to systematically destroy the enemy’s logistics and air defense systems in Crimea, preparing the ground for future operations.
Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, made these remarks in an interview with The Kyiv Independent.
On the night of June 18, the temporarily occupied Crimea came under another drone attack. Two bridges near the village of Rozdolne in the Ichkinsky District, which Russian troops use for military logistics, were targeted.
On the night of June 18, Moscow and the Moscow region came under a massive drone attack. Russian Telegram channels reported drone flights, explosions, and fires in various areas of the Russian capital.
Prior to this, Russian occupation forces deployed new “Volna-Kupol-Garant” electronic warfare systems to counter the Starlink satellite communication system.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR MODU) released a video of combat operations by the “Ghosts” special forces unit, aimed at disrupting the logistical arteries of Russian troops in April–May 2026.
