After striking roads and railways, Ukraine has opened another front in its campaign to disrupt fuel supplies and pressure Russia to end the war. The Ukrainian military has intensified its attacks on Russian ships near Crimea, targeting maritime supply routes as it tries to heap pressure on the Kremlin.
Ukraine's drone force has been instrumental in this campaign, with drone operators striking 48 watercraft in the past five days. This includes 13 vessels from Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" that were targeted overnight on July 10. The Ukrainian military has also confirmed that at least 36 ships have been hit and set on fire over the past four days in the Sea of Azov.
The escalation in attacks on Russian maritime logistics marks a strategic shift in the conflict toward a "starvation" strategy. By targeting fuel supplies, Ukraine aims to weaken Russia's military capabilities and put pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate a peace deal. This approach has been described as a "systematic destruction" of Russian maritime logistics, with Ukraine's drone force commander, Robert Brovdi, also known as Magyar, saying that the campaign is aimed at disrupting fuel supplies to Crimea.
The Ukrainian military's focus on sea routes is a significant development in the conflict, as it tries to cut off Crimea's supply lines. The peninsula has been under Russian control since 2014, and Ukraine has been trying to isolate it by disrupting its access to fuel and other essential supplies. The intensification of attacks on Russian ships near Crimea has raised tensions in the region, with both sides trading accusations of aggression.
As the conflict continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to the increased pressure from Ukraine. The Ukrainian military's campaign to cut off Crimea's supply lines has significant implications for the region, and the international community is watching the situation closely. The fate of Crimea and the future of the conflict will depend on how the two sides respond to each other's actions, and whether they can find a way to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Source: NY TIMES
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