These drone operations highlight Ukraine's increasing reliance on unmanned systems to target critical infrastructure in occupied territories, disrupting Russian supply lines and energy networks.
Unmanned Systems Strike Power Facilities in Occupied Areas
Between July 25 and 27, 2024, drones operated by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) disabled 18 power hubs across occupied territories—14 of which were located in Crimea. The attacks affected substations of varying voltage levels, including the 330 kV Simferopol station and the 220 kV Bakhchysarai station, which was hit twice. In total, from July 1 through July 27, 2024, the campaign struck 154 energy targets.
Substations That Sustained Damage
Among the Crimean substations that were hit are also 110 kV facilities:
- Luchova (Muromske)
- Kapsel (Sudak)
- Sudak
- Niva
- Novoozerna
- Perevalne
- Dozorne
- Zhaivoronky
- Skvortsove
- Alushta
- Artek (Gurzuf)
- Blyzhni Kamyshi (Feodosiia)
The Simferopol substation was struck by the 9th Battalion Kairos of the 414th Brigade 'Ptahy Madyara' (Birds of Madyar), while the Bakhchysarai substation was attacked by the 1st Separate Center of the SBS. Other Crimean targets were hit by the 412th Brigade Nemesis, the 413th Regiment Reyd, and the Kairos unit.
Designated energy targets outside Crimea include substations in Honcharivka (Luhansk region), Tavrychanka and Tavria (Kherson region), and Novyi Svit (Donetsk region). The strikes in these areas were carried out by the 20th Brigade K-2 and the 6th Battalion of the 414th Brigade.
SBS commander Robert Madyar Brovdi announced the operation on Telegram, stating: 'The Crimean switch is off.'
These strikes on energy infrastructure in occupied territory indicate an intensification of military operations that could have serious consequences for the region's energy security. Reduced power availability may affect civilians and infrastructure, potentially influencing the conflict's trajectory. The actions also highlight the strategic importance of controlling critical infrastructure in wartime. They may reflect a tactical shift or adaptation aimed at increasing pressure on occupation forces while advancing Ukraine's own military objectives.
Robert Madyar Brovdi further emphasized: 'The Ilyich light bulb flickered in support of the blackout in Simferopol, Bakhchysarai, Sudak, Alushta, Gurzuf, Feodosia, and other occupied settlements of Crimea: substations 330 kV, 220 kV, 110 kV.'
Concluding his statement, he expressed confidence in the future: 'We will stand. Moscow will fall.'
These recent drone strikes reflect a broader strategy by Ukraine to systematically dismantle Russian energy capabilities in occupied regions. For instance, just a day earlier, Ukrainian unmanned systems had already taken out 13 electrical substations in Crimea, highlighting the escalating intensity of operations aimed at crippling the adversary's infrastructure.