Ukrainian commander predicts full control over Azov coastal route and isolation of Crimea
Systematic strikes on the so-called Novorossiya road along the Azov Sea have reduced Russian traffic by over two-thirds in the past month, and Ukraine's unmanned systems commander expects full control within a month, leading to Crimea's isolation.
Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, told Reuters that systematic strikes on the so-called Novorossiya road along the Azov Sea have forced Russian forces to reduce traffic on it by more than two-thirds over the past month.
Brovdi stated that within a month Ukraine will have full control over the road and that "in the near future we will isolate Crimea." He compared strikes on vehicles on the exposed route to "shooting partridges in an open field."
He said one of the strategic goals is to force Moscow to withdraw its troops rather than advance. "We will create conditions that will make it extremely difficult for any military personnel or those working in the defence industry to remain in Crimea, in the temporarily occupied territories, or use the access routes to them," Brovdi said.
He also emphasized that Ukraine has not and will not strike directly at civilians or civilian infrastructure.
Background: On 11 June, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian convoy of approximately 50 lorries transporting fuel and ammunition near Armyansk in the north of temporarily occupied Crimea. The occupation authorities of Kherson Oblast stated that several bridges on the route to Crimea in the Armyansk area were struck overnight. In Russian-occupied Crimea, A-95 petrol has been rationed with coupons since 31 May; however, in recent days the occupation authorities reported that petrol would not be sold even on a ration-coupon basis.
