Power outages, fuel bans and no summer camps: Crimea placed under state of emergency as Ukraine steps up pressure on Putin

Russian-installed authorities declared a state of emergency in Crimea on Friday, citing intensified Ukrainian strikes that have caused widespread power outages and fuel shortages. Sevastopol, the peninsula's largest city, has experienced prolonged blackouts, with repair work suspended due to air raid alerts. Ukraine's drone forces commander stated Kyiv attacked Sevastopol's main power substation seven times early Wednesday. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, a move condemned internationally. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to regain control of the peninsula, a goal that has gained prominence since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In recent weeks, Ukraine has escalated its military actions in Crimea, increasing pressure on the Kremlin and disrupting civilian life. Residents report more frequent daily drone strikes and intercepts occurring over the city. Fuel is now restricted to government agencies, and ordinary citizens face shortages, though public transport remains operational. Long queues have formed at the bridge connecting Crimea to Russia, with hundreds of vehicles awaiting inspection following Ukrainian drone attacks and temporary closures of the Kerch Strait crossing.

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the city air raid alerts had become more regular in recent weeks, with several daily. She described drones flying in and around the city, and intercepts often now taking place above the city rather than above the Black Sea, as was the case previously. The city has become “more dangerous,” she said.