May 17, 2025
Ukrainian security service drones struck an ammunition depot used by Russia’s 126th Coastal Defense Brigade near the village of Perevalne in occupied Crimea, causing a large explosion and fire, a security source told the Kyiv Independent on May 17.
The depot, located near a key highway between Simferopol and Alushta, reportedly housed military equipment, ammunition, and fuel storage facilities. Local residents reportedly described thick smoke over the military compound.
“The Security Service of Ukraine continues to effectively strike legitimate military targets in Russian-occupied Crimea. Efforts to degrade (Russia’s) military capabilities will continue,” the source said.
The strike reportedly caused significant damage and prompted Russian forces to block traffic along the Simferopol–Alushta highway, which passes close to the affected area. There are also reports of Russian military personnel killed in the blast, the source said.
Russia has not officially commented on the incident. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these claims.
Ukraine has ramped up long-range drone strikes and sabotage operations in occupied Crimea in recent months, targeting Russian military infrastructure and logistics hubs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 7 that Ukraine is increasing production across “the full range of drones: from Mavics to long-range drones,” as well as ground-based robotic systems.
Ukraine and Russia have increasingly relied on drone warfare throughout the war, deploying aerial, naval, and ground-based drones for reconnaissance and strike operations. Zelensky also noted progress in Ukraine’s capacity for “deep strikes” — long-range drone attacks targeting Russian military infrastructure far behind the front lines.
Strikes on Crimea have been on the rise again lately. Is this a preparation for the final act of dropping the bridge?
I’m not an engineer so don’t know where the weaknesses are in this particular design of bridge. Ukraine will have experts who do know and what it would take to put it out of action.
So far, the calculation is that it would cost too much of Ukraine’s limited firepower to make it worthwhile.
This brief article outlines possible methodology:
https://tsn.ua/en/ato/how-to-destroy-the-crimean-bridge-a-military-expert-reveals-details-2718306.html
Problem would be the amount of wastage : many missiles would be shot down. Can the Ukrainian air force destroy the bridge air defences?
A bare minimum of 60 Taurus/Storm Shadow/ATACMS would be needed.
Then the dose would need to be repeated after each repair.
Of course it’s possible that Biden banned a hit on the putler bridge for fear of “escalation.”
You can bet your bottom dollar that Krasnov would not approve it. He might even warn the putinaZis if an attack is pending.
After all his head of intel is a filthy putinaZi skank who hates Ukraine.