Ukraine’s Drones Cut Crimea’s Fuel Supply, Russia Bans Gas Sales to Civilians
Fuel sales have been halted in Russian-occupied Crimea after Ukraine launched a series of drone and missile strikes targeting oil depots, supply bridges, and fuel transport routes, creating the worst energy crisis on the peninsula since 2014 [178593] [178824].
The Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, announced on Sunday that gasoline sales to private individuals and companies would be stopped immediately. “Fuel will be sold only to government agencies that ensure the functioning and security of the Republic of Crimea,” Aksyonov said, adding that four people were killed and 28 wounded in overnight Ukrainian strikes [178593]. He did not specify how long the ban would last.
The attacks mark a clear escalation in Ukraine’s campaign to sever Russian supply lines to the occupied peninsula. Ukrainian forces have systematically hit oil terminals, bridges, and rail crossings in recent weeks [178790] [178129] [178125]. On Sunday, smoke rose from a Russian oil terminal near the Kerch Strait after multiple strikes, forcing occupying authorities to also halt ferry operations [178790].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a Crimean oil depot and a fuel transport site in southern Russia were among the targets, calling the operations part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” against Russia’s energy system [178593].
The fuel shortage has been building for weeks. At the end of May, authorities limited gas sales to 20 liters (about 5 gallons) per vehicle owner per week, requiring prepaid coupons that sold out quickly [178593]. Drivers have been waiting for hours to refuel, and some are bringing their own gas from mainland Russia across the Kerch bridge, though they can only carry 100 liters (about 26 gallons) per vehicle [178593]. Sellers are charging double the normal price.
Ukraine’s new generation of mid-range drones has been central to the strategy. Video and images show about 150 strikes against Russian fuel tankers, trucks, and other supply vehicles, cutting off fuel and weapons to frontline troops [177634]. The goal is to stop supplies before they reach the battlefield [177634].
In a separate operation, Ukrainian special forces disabled a rail bridge that carries freight and troops onto the peninsula via the Kerch Bridge [176850]. Another strike targeted the Hlibivske gas storage facility deep in Crimea, which regulates seasonal gas consumption and helps maintain pressure in the peninsula’s gas transport system [178135].
Ukraine’s defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said the drone strikes are effectively turning Crimea into an island, warning of consequences he would not yet name [175346].
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