Residents of occupied Crimea are scrambling to find generators amid the energy crisis

In July, residents of annexed Crimea searched online for information about electric generators more than 1 million times, which is four times higher than the June figure (239,000) and ten times higher than the May figure (97,000). 

In addition, approximately 182,000 search queries for solar panels were recorded. Given the peninsula’s population, virtually every other resident was interested in alternative power sources.

The surge in interest was triggered by systematic strikes by Ukrainian drones on energy infrastructure facilities as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces’ operation “Crimean Circuit Breaker Off.” According to Robert Brovdi (“Madyar”), commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, 201 energy facilities in the occupied territories were struck between July 1 and August 5. As a result, electricity consumption in Crimea fell by 42% in July, and in Sevastopol by 22%, compared to the same period last year.

As a reminder, the Ukrainian military has begun using a new method of striking Crimea.

In Crimea, residents are unable to obtain gasoline they have already paid for. 

Ukrainian drones struck six Wildberries warehouses in Russia and Crimea.