Ukraine attacked bridges to Crimea with long-range drones

Ukraine's military has intensified its efforts to isolate Crimea from Russia, with recent strikes using drones reportedly disrupting critical transportation links between occupied territories and the Crimean Peninsula. According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, these operations are part of a broader strategy aimed at cutting off the region entirely from Russian supply lines, potentially transforming Crimea into an isolated island. This assertion comes amid reports of increased drone attacks targeting infrastructure essential for maintaining Russian control over the peninsula.

Fedorov emphasized that Ukraine has significantly expanded its drone capabilities, acquiring more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the past four months than were purchased throughout all of 2025. He highlighted the acquisition of advanced systems such as the "Middle Strike," which are designed to target logistical routes within occupied areas. These drones are equipped with optical fiber technology, enabling precise targeting and real-time adjustments during flight. The minister also noted that while procurement efforts have just begun, the program continues to evolve rapidly.

The strategic focus on isolating Crimea includes disrupting the flow of supplies, fuel, and equipment to front-line units stationed in the region. Commanding officer Robert Browski-Madjar confirmed that his unit has been increasing strikes against the federal highway "Novorossiya," which connects to Crimea. These attacks aim to sever the transport of arms and other resources crucial for sustaining Russian military operations in the area.

According to verified footage analyzed by experts since May, Ukrainian forces have launched at least 375 attacks on trucks, tankers, and other vehicles operating in occupied territories. Approximately 200 of these targets were tankers and cargo vehicles traveling along the so-called "dry bridge" route leading to Crimea. As a result of these strikes, movement toward the peninsula via the Chonhar Bridge was halted, prompting Moscow-appointed authorities to propose alternative routes through Armiansk and Perekop.

In addition to damaging bridges, significant destruction has been recorded at the Djankoy border checkpoint, further complicating logistics for Russian forces. Reports indicate that movement through the Chonhar Bridge has been blocked, and passage via the bridge connecting Genichesk to the Arabat Spit has also been disrupted. Previously, occupiers had claimed that traffic through the Chonhar Bridge had been fully restored, but recent attacks have challenged this assertion.

Ukrainian forces have been actively targeting transport connections linking the Kherson region to Crimea. Over the past week, multiple strikes have been carried out near the Chongar area in the Genichesk district and crossings over the Sivash Strait. According to specialized media and military sources, Ukraine primarily employs two types of long-range UAVs—FP-2 and "Begemot." The FP-2 has been officially mentioned in statements by Ukrainian security structures and has been demonstrated in combat conditions. The "Begemot" is known mainly through publications in Ukrainian media, though the government has not formally confirmed its use in specific bridge attacks.

Both drones utilize satellite guidance and can be adjusted by operators mid-flight, allowing for targeted strikes on specific structural elements rather than relying solely on pre-set coordinates. The FP-2, in its base version, carries a warhead weighing 105 kg, with a new modification introduced in May featuring a payload capacity of up to 200 kg and a range of 370 kilometers. Information about the "Begemot" remains limited, but experts estimate its range at 300 kilometers with a combined warhead weight of around 75 kg—40 kg of fragmentation-fuze and 35 kg of thermobaric charge. Developers claim this combination enhances effectiveness when attacking engineering structures and fortified objects.

While Ukraine does not publicly disclose the full list of weapons used in attacks on transport infrastructure, both the FP-2 and "Begemot" are frequently cited as long-range drones capable of striking bridges and other large targets from distances of several hundred kilometers. Experts note that these UAVs serve as effective alternatives to the limited number of Storm Shadow missiles, which cannot be manually guided during flight. Despite being easier to shoot down compared to missiles, drones offer a cost-effective solution, allowing for the deployment of numerous units against a single target, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful strikes.