Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) forces, announced today that they attacked 48 military targets on the Crimean peninsula on the night of 24/6. A main substation near Sevastopol was hit and rendered inoperable, causing power outages in the peninsula's largest city.

Russian media reported that Ukrainian forces launched further UAV attacks in the early hours of 25/6, targeting energy infrastructure across the Crimean peninsula.

Widespread power outages were also reported in Simferopol. Other sources indicated that many areas in Yalta lost power after a regional substation was attacked. Local residents heard explosions near the Balaklava power plant in Sevastopol.

Sevastopol power plant on the Crimean peninsula, before being hit by a Ukrainian UAV on 24/6. *Photo: Reuters*

"We will not give up just because of a lack of light. We have overcome greater challenges before, and we will survive this time too. The enemy is delivering treacherous blows, trying to prevent us from living normal lives and sowing panic," Sevastopol Mayor Mikhail Razvozhayev told residents on 24/6.

Sevastopol, the largest urban area on the Crimean peninsula, serves as a logistics hub and holds a strategically important location in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It was the home port of the Black Sea Fleet before Russian warships were redeployed to Krasnodar.

Razvozhayev warned that some areas would experience power cuts while authorities assess the damage. A "special regime" was implemented at energy facilities, and emergency response forces were placed on high alert.

Sevastopol residents were advised to conserve electricity, reduce phone screen brightness, and close background applications to extend battery life. He also urged residents to check on elderly locals amidst extreme heat.

These attacks occurred amidst Crimea facing fuel shortages due to Kyiv's campaign to isolate the peninsula. Ukrainian forces have recently intensified attacks targeting transport links between Crimea and Russian-controlled areas, including the railway bridge connecting southern Ukraine to the peninsula, as well as energy infrastructure.

Crimean peninsula. *Graphic: Telegraph*

On 21/6, Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov announced a temporary halt to gasoline sales to residents, citing the need to prioritize fuel for public services. Crimea's power grid has been under strain recently. Russian officials stated that a widespread power outage on 23/6 left approximately one-half of the peninsula without electricity.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) believes that "Russian forces are gradually losing control of Crimea's skies." Kyiv aims to turn Crimea into "a zone of constant losses and force Russian troops to withdraw from the peninsula."

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated on 17/6 that the UAV strike campaign would make the Crimean peninsula "an island."

Thanh Danh (According to BBC, Kyiv Independent, FT)