(MAP) KRVNE BOJI NA FRONTI Dronski udari v ozadju: Stanje pri Slavjanski se stiska, Kijev pošilja 400 dronov in raket proti Moskvi in Krimu

In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its military operations on the Crimean Peninsula, aiming to isolate Russia's forces there and increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin. This strategy has been highlighted in a new episode of the Dutch podcast *De Dag*, which focuses on the ongoing operation dubbed "Operation Crimea." According to the episode, Ukrainian forces have launched targeted attacks against critical infrastructure on the peninsula, including rail bridges, power stations, and air defense systems. These actions have reportedly forced Russia to declare a state of emergency in Crimea, signaling the growing impact of these strikes on Russian military logistics and civilian life.

The operation to isolate Crimea began long before the current wave of attacks. As explained by Peter Schrijver, an officer in the Royal Netherlands Army and researcher at the Netherlands Defence Academy, Ukraine has been gradually tightening its grip around the peninsula through a series of strategic moves. One of the most significant developments was the destruction of a major railway bridge over the North Crimean Canal earlier this month. This bridge had been crucial for transporting troops, weapons, and supplies between Russia’s southern regions and Crimea. Its damage has disrupted supply lines and significantly hampered Russian military movements on the peninsula.

Further complicating matters for Russia, Ukrainian forces have also attacked several radio-electronic warfare stations and reconnaissance units in Crimea. According to reports from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, these targets were used by Russian occupiers for military logistics, movement of personnel, and delivery of arms and ammunition. In addition to the railway bridge, Ukrainian drones have damaged multiple sections of roads and bridges in both Crimea and other occupied areas of Ukraine, such as the Azov Sea region near Zaporizhzhia and the Donets region near Granitnyy. These attacks aim to cut off Russian supply routes and prevent reinforcements from reaching the front lines.

The effects of these operations are becoming increasingly evident. On July 3, Ukrainian forces struck another railway bridge in the area of Krasnogvardeysk, further disrupting the flow of resources into Crimea. Meanwhile, in the south of Ukraine, attacks on infrastructure continue to escalate. Over ten fuel stations have been hit in the past day alone, with more concentrated efforts directed toward the front-line zones. Additionally, Ukrainian forces have launched hundreds of drones targeting Russian territory, primarily focusing on Crimea and southern Russia. Some of these drones have aimed at oil facilities, while others have been deployed to attack military installations in Moscow Oblast, where a missile threat has been declared.

On the ground, the situation remains volatile. In the Slavyansk region, fighting continues as Russian forces attempt to clear Ukrainian positions from the outskirts of the village of Raj-Aleksandrivka. Explosions and alarms have been reported in Sevastopol, where Russian troops are trying to repel drone attacks. Power outages have affected parts of the Zaporizhzhia region, with local authorities reporting damage to electrical infrastructure. Despite these challenges, Russian forces are making progress in some areas, particularly in the Lipovka region, where they have improved their positions by taking control of nearby forests and woodlands. In Jurkovka, Russian units are advancing in small groups with the goal of cutting off Ukrainian access to Raj-Aleksandrovka and Orehovatka.

Meanwhile, in the Dnipropetrovsk sector, Russian forces continue their offensive along the banks of the Vovchya River. They have recently captured the village of Pisanki, contributing to their broader effort to strengthen their position along the rivers Gaiachur and Vovchya. This move aims to correct the front line and create conditions for future advances in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Nearby, Russian forces have also liberated the village of Novoskelevatoye, crossing the Gaiachur River in the process. These successes suggest that Russian forces are gaining momentum in certain sectors, although they face continued resistance from Ukrainian troops.

As the conflict intensifies, the focus remains on the strategic importance of Crimea. By disrupting Russian supply chains and increasing pressure on Moscow, Ukraine hopes to weaken the Russian military presence on the peninsula. However, the effectiveness of these operations will depend on the ability of Ukrainian forces to sustain their attacks and maintain control over key infrastructure points. With both sides continuing to deploy advanced technologies and tactics, the situation on the ground remains fluid and unpredictable.