Ukraine has intensified a campaign aimed at disrupting Russia’s military logistics and critical infrastructure in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian officials say the “Crimean Switch Off” operation disabled 412 energy facilities between July 6 and September 22, 2026, including substations and gas infrastructure in Crimea and other occupied areas.
The campaign has also targeted electricity links supplying the peninsula. Ukrainian forces previously reported strikes against the Kuban–Crimea power connection and multiple substations, alongside attacks on Russian air-defense assets, including S-400, Pantsir, Tor, and radar systems. These attacks demonstrate an effort to combine pressure on energy infrastructure with attacks against military systems and logistics rather than relying on a single type of strike.
Ukraine has also sought to disrupt maritime and ground supply routes. The operation described as “Molochka” has targeted Russian tanker and cargo traffic in the Black and Azov seas. Al Jazeera reported that Ukrainian officials described the operation as an effort to paralyze Russia’s tanker-support network. Separately, analysts have identified the Kerch Bridge and the land corridor through occupied southern Ukraine as Russia’s principal ground connections to Crimea.
There is evidence of significant traffic disruption at the Kerch Bridge. In June, a queue of vehicles leaving Crimea reportedly stretched at least 15 kilometers, while another report documented thousands of vehicles waiting during temporary restrictions.However, claims that one million Russians have fled Crimea are not supported by the sources reviewed.
Overall, the documented campaign indicates sustained Ukrainian efforts to weaken Crimea’s energy system, air-defense network, and logistical connections. Whether these strikes amount to a complete isolation of the peninsula remains uncertain, but they have increased pressure on Russia’s ability to sustain military and civilian infrastructure there.
