Russian military correspondents acknowledged Ukrainian drone strikes on a key highway leading to Crimea — ISW
Russian military bloggers have cast doubt on the occupying authorities’ claims of alleged full control over the M-14 highway, which connects Rostov-on-Don with the temporarily occupied Crimea. According to them, Ukrainian drones continue to successfully attack one of the Russian army’s key logistics routes.
The day before, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin met with Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian-appointed “governor” of the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. During the meeting, the collaborator claimed that Russian troops allegedly have full control over the M-14 highway (which the occupying authorities call the R-280), have curtailed the activity of Ukrainian drones, and have protected energy infrastructure from attacks.
However, as ISW analysts note, Russian military bloggers have refuted these claims. One of them reported that Ukrainian attacks on the highway are continuing, and fuel transporters heading to occupied Crimea are forced to pay higher insurance premiums due to the constant threat of strikes.
Another blogger close to the Kremlin also acknowledged the threat posed by Ukrainian drones. According to him, the decrease in the number of vehicles hit may be explained not by the effectiveness of Russian air defense, but by a significant reduction in traffic on that stretch of road.
According to the ISW, Ukrainian forces carried out at least four strikes on the M-14 highway between July 1 and July 20. At the same time, the intensity of attacks on this route was even higher in May and June.
Analysts believe that the systematic strikes forced the Russian command to strengthen defenses along the highway. In particular, additional drone operators and interceptor drones were deployed to the area.
Despite this, the Ukrainian strike campaign has already complicated the use of one of the main ground supply routes between Russia and occupied Crimea. Previously, the ISW noted that logistical support for Russian troops in southern Ukraine depends to a large extent on the M-14 highway, which is regularly targeted by Ukrainian drones.
In addition, on the night of July 21, explosions were again reported in the temporarily occupied Crimea. According to local sources, they were heard in Simferopol, Yalta, Balaklava, and Sevastopol. The day before, the occupying authorities also temporarily closed the Crimean Bridge to traffic due to a drone attack. Following this, a fire broke out in Yalta near a power substation on Darsan Hill, and in Alushta, the power supply was cut off after an explosion.
This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
As a reminder, on July 19 and 20, Russian troops carried out limited offensive attempts in the north of Sumy Oblast but were unsuccessful. The occupiers continue to attempt to create so-called buffer zones in border areas.
The Russian army is facing difficulties in replenishing its personnel, as the rate of recruiting contract soldiers no longer compensates for losses on the front lines.
