State of emergency in Crimea as Ukraine focuses pressure on ‘jewel in Putin’s crown’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has finally admitted that Ukraine's sustained drone attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure are having a significant impact. Speaking to the ruling United Russia party, Putin acknowledged a "certain shortage" of fuel and admitted that strikes on infrastructure sites are creating problems.

However, the reality on the ground appears far worse than the Russian president let on. Russia retaliated with massive strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on July 1, using drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, killing at least 17 people and injuring dozens more. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned of further massive retaliation following a month where Ukrainian air offensives have placed considerable pressure on Russian defenses and morale.

Throughout June, Ukraine escalated its attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure deep within European Russia, far from the front lines. Oil refineries in Moscow itself have been targeted. Reports indicate fuel shortages across all Russian regions, with knock-on effects causing delays in the delivery of food and other essential goods.

Russian-occupied Crimea has become a particular focus. Regional authorities declared a state of emergency on June 26 due to power outages, food shortages, and fuel rationing, including a ban on selling gasoline to civilians. Crimea is strategically vital as a route for military equipment and supplies to the combat zone in Ukraine's Donbas region. Its port of Sevastopol is crucial for Russia's Black Sea operations, despite Ukraine damaging or destroying a significant portion of Russia's Black Sea fleet since 2022.

Beyond its military importance, Ukraine has targeted Crimea for its symbolic value as the "jewel in the crown" of Russia's campaign. Since Russia's 2014 annexation, the peninsula has been presented by Moscow as a symbol of its success and righteousness in claiming Ukrainian territory. Russia's inability to protect Crimea from Ukrainian strikes is therefore seen as particularly humiliating for Moscow.

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strikes on our infrastructure sites are creating problems