In an attempt to isolate Crimea from the mainland, the Ukrainian armed forces have intensified their attacks on the peninsula, which was invaded and annexed by Russia in 2014.
Ukraine is using long-range drones to attack transports on the M14 highway between the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and Melitopol in occupied southern Ukraine. It is also targeting Russian shadow fleet ships in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, as well as energy facilities that supply the Russian military.
Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian forces for unmanned systems, says 196 Russian ships and more than 100 energy facilities have been hit in the past month alone. His figures cannot be independently verified.
Russia appears to be struggling to supply both its military and the civilian population in Crimea. Fuel coupons were issued at the end of May, but ran out after 24 hours, after which gasoline was being traded on the black market. A state of emergency was declared in Crimea, especially Sevastopol, in response to repeated disruption of the electricity and water supply, and of the internet and cellphone networks.
What are residents in Crimea experiencing?
