"The Occupation Of Crimea Has Turned Into A Disaster For Russia"

The suspension of large-scale shipments through Crimea triggered a domino effect along the southern route.

The temporarily occupied Crimea no longer helps the Kremlin in the war; instead, it has become a strategic problem for Russia, undermining both the logistics of the front lines and the ideology of Putinism.

Instead of serving as an “impregnable fortress” and the main distribution center for the Russian Federation’s southern military group, the peninsula now requires enormous resources for its own defense and is draining the occupiers’ reserves.

This was stated on the FREEДOM by Viktor Yagun, director of the Ukrainian Agency for Security Sector Reform and a national security expert .

Russia’s full-scale invasion has radically changed the status of the peninsula. From a propaganda showcase of supposed success, it has turned into a vulnerable frontline region.

- Until 2022, Crimea was a symbol of political victory for the Kremlin. Today, it is gradually turning into a military foothold that requires constant defense and enormous resources. Ukraine is systematically changing the situation, with warehouses, airfields, air defense systems, and logistics coming under attack. As a result, Russia is forced to redeploy additional forces specifically to defend the peninsula instead of using those resources and forces on the front lines,” the spokesperson noted.

Ukrainian strikes on key transportation hubs are systematically turning the peninsula into an isolated entity, the supply of which is proving too costly for the aggressor.

- Modern warfare is won not only by the number of troops, but also by the ability to regularly resupply ammunition, fuel, and equipment. It is precisely in these areas that Ukraine is striking. Of course, it is impossible to completely isolate Crimea all at once. That’s a pipe dream, but making its resupply extremely costly, complicated, and risky is a perfectly achievable goal. I understand that Crimea is gradually turning from a triumph into a catastrophe for Russia,” Yagun emphasized.

The Kremlin’s long-standing attempts to create the illusion of peaceful life in Crimea while actively militarizing the peninsula have finally failed, resulting in colossal losses for Moscow.

“Russia had hoped to make Crimea a secure rear base, a tourist region, and a powerful military base all at once. Now, none of these goals appears to have been fully realized, but they have all effectively failed. Military security is constantly being disrupted by Ukrainian strikes. The tourist season isn’t just under pressure—it has simply collapsed,” commented the guest on the broadcast.

Successful Ukrainian attacks have forced the occupiers to impose strict restrictions on the transport of fuel across the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge. The fear of losing this key crossing has triggered an acute fuel shortage at military bases.

“After the strike, after a vehicle was blown up on the bridge, and when a train carrying petroleum products caught fire on the railroad tracks, they realized this was a very serious problem. If a train is passing and a drone (UAV) strikes it, the explosion will be incredibly powerful and could destroy the bridge. That’s why they’re trying to send cars one at a time or find some other way. And that’s not even the worst of it. Fuel isn’t just for vehicles—it’s also for drones, airplanes, and helicopters. In other words, it’s all a vicious cycle,” Yagun explained.

The halt in large-scale shipments through Crimea has triggered a domino effect in the southern sector.

“Supplying the southern group has become absolutely critical, because previously most of its supplies came through Crimea. And now they’re trying to resupply it—especially these units located along the Dnieper River in the Kherson region, in the occupied part. They used to be resupplied specifically from Crimea. But now Crimea itself lacks ammunition and adequate supplies. What else can they provide to the front lines? That’s why this is a very serious problem for them,” the expert added.

Attempts by the Russian command to reroute cargo flows around the bridge have not been successful. The only land route is under round-the-clock surveillance by Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance, which destroys any camouflaged enemy convoys.

“The Russians have done themselves a disservice; they began camouflaging fuel tankers and military vehicles to look like civilian ones, covering them, for example, with wooden shields or imitation logs. Or they repainted them, or seized civilian vehicles and used them to transport ammunition. That’s why even large vehicles weighing more than 20 metric tons simply can’t get through there now. In fact, the entire roadside is littered with burned-out vehicles. Any movement along this land corridor… If it does take place, it’s either at night or under heavy electronic warfare, Viktor Yagun explained.

As a result, continuing to hold the peninsula is turning into an insurmountable economic and military crisis for the Kremlin. The gradual isolation of Crimea by the Ukrainian Defense Forces makes the cost of sustaining it unaffordable for the Russian budget, finally shattering Putin’s myth of strategic triumph.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]