The commander of the First Separate Assault Battalion named after Dmytro Kotsyubailo, Dmytro “Perun” Filatov, announced on June 17 that recent drone operations targeting bridges connecting mainland Ukraine to Crimea have had a significant impact on the battlefield situation.
Filatov stated during an interview on Radio Svoboda that the objective of these operations is to enhance the safety of the battlefield for Ukrainian troops. He noted that the focus remains on advancing on land, particularly in the Huliaipole direction, where they have seen progress as a result of these actions. “We will soon report on the results we have achieved, which positively influence the course of events on the battlefield,” he said in the program “Svoboda Live.”
When asked about the feasibility of completely blocking access routes to Crimea, Filatov indicated that, given the current capabilities of the two assault battalions involved, it is not possible at this time. However, he emphasized that with a larger number of drones, such a goal could be realistically achieved.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian Armed Forces have intensified their attacks on transport routes leading to Crimea. The bridge near Chonhar has been targeted multiple times, effectively disrupting traffic along this crucial artery. As a result of these logistical challenges, Crimea is reportedly experiencing a fuel shortage.
Ukrainian forces are actively targeting supply routes to Crimea through drone strikes, impacting logistics and battlefield dynamics. The commander of a key battalion indicated that while complete blockage of access routes is currently unfeasible, increased drone capabilities could change this situation.
Source: Radio Svoboda