The Russian-backed authorities in Crimea declared a state of emergency on Friday, following multiple days of Ukrainian attacks.Russian Defense Ministry officials said Friday that their air defenses had intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones overnight in several cities, including the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. Officials later said they intercepted an additional 46 drones. It is believed to be the largest Ukrainian drone attack of the year, according to Russian state media.Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed governor of Crimea, posted a video declaring a region-wide state of emergency, as did Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev, who said, “This state of emergency will remain in effect until the situation improves.”
Ukrainian forces have significantly increased their mid-range drone attacks in recent weeks against military trucks and fuel tankers in recent weeks, and it’s a part of their broader strategy to target Russian supply lines and energy infrastructure beyond the frontlines. The attacks, and the subsequent fuel shortage, prompted the local government to suspend tourism and children’s camps, in addition to the state of emergency declaration, and earlier this week, they reduced the number of daily trains to and from Russia by half.The Ukrainian military’s drone operations near Moscow, the Russian capital, have pierced a shielded Russian society that the Kremlin had tried to insulate from the war.UKRAINE IS DOING A NUMBER ON CRIMEA, AND PUTIN IS FEELING THE PINCHLast week, Russian Defense Ministry officials said they intercepted 992 drones across the country and forced the suspension of air travel from the capital’s four international airports. The widespread attack killed an 8-year-old girl and injured at least 17 others.Cars line up at a petrol station in Simferopol, Crimea, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo)
