Drone Forces Cripple 75% of Kerch Ferry Crossing in Two-Week Campaign

Operation MoLoChKa

According to ХВИЛЯ: Over the span of two weeks, the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) disabled 75% of the Kerch ferry crossing during a campaign dubbed MoLoChKa. This was announced on July 19 by USF Commander Robert Brovdi, known by the call sign Madyar. As a result of the operation, no more than 25% of the crossing remains operational. Previously, the route was served by four ferries, with one vessel held in reserve.

Ship Losses and Logistics Impact

Throughout July, pilots from the USF and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) took all five vessels used for transport out of commission. Specifically, the ferry Eysk was struck by USF drones on July 12 and 13; it was towed to Kerch with hopes of further use, but there are no plans to return it to service. The motor vessel SKS One was destroyed following attacks on July 7, 12, and 13, and now lies in the port of Kamysh-Burun, beyond repair.

• The ferry Mariya, also targeted by the USF and SBU over the course of the month, was pulled to Kerch with no chance of being repaired.
• The ferries Lavrentiy and Panagia have lost their ability to move under their own power.

According to the data, a single ferry could carry between 8 and 15 units of equipment, and the four active vessels together facilitated the transport of 180 to 250 vehicles daily. It is important to note that 80% of this traffic was allocated to the quota of the Russian military command.

The Kerch ferry crossing is DONE.

Robert Brovdi, USF Commander

USF Commander Robert Brovdi also added: 'We will stand firm. Moscow will fall. We will feed and rebuild Crimea.' These statements underscore the resolve of the unmanned systems forces to continue operations and destroy military infrastructure in territory under enemy control.

The destruction of a large portion of the Kerch ferry crossing marks a critical milestone in military efforts, as this crossing played a key role in supplying logistics for Russian forces in Crimea. The loss of ferries and the reduced capacity to transport equipment could significantly hinder the movement of enemy military resources, potentially affecting their operational capabilities. This situation highlights the importance of drone technology in modern warfare and its impact on the course of the conflict.

The ongoing efforts of the Unmanned Systems Forces are not limited to the Kerch ferry crossing. In a recent operation, they successfully incapacitated 16 power nodes across Crimea within just 48 hours. This strategic move highlights the broader impact of drone warfare on military logistics and infrastructure in the region. For more details on this significant development, see how these operations are reshaping the conflict in Crimea here.