Ukraine Aims to Cut Off Crimea Within a Month

Kyiv’s Strategy to Seal Off the Peninsula

According to Главком: Ukraine intends to fully isolate the temporarily occupied Crimea in the near future by achieving complete fire control over the ‘Novorossiya’ highway. In an interview with Reuters, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi (aka “Magyar”) stated that vehicle traffic along this route has dropped by more than two-thirds over the past month due to drone strikes. He further predicts that within another month, control over the road will reach 100 percent.

The ‘Novorossiya’ highway-also designated as the R-280 route-serves as a critical artery for Russian military logistics. It links Rostov-on-Don with Mariupol, Melitopol, and Crimea, running through occupied territories along the Azov Sea coast. According to Brovdi, large-scale drone attacks have already forced the occupation authorities to impose strict fuel rationing on the peninsula.

“We will isolate Crimea in the very near future,” said Robert Brovdi.

Strategic Goal and Establishment of New Forces

The overarching objective of this campaign is to compel Moscow to retreat rather than advance. A key part of the plan is the creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces as a separate branch of the military. These units are designed to make it physically extremely difficult for Russian military personnel and defense industry workers to remain in Crimea, and to disrupt the use of logistics routes. The journey from the first FPV strike to a fully-fledged military branch took less than two years.

On June 11, 2026, Ukraine will celebrate the Day of the Unmanned Systems Forces for the first time-a holiday established by a decree from President Volodymyr Zelensky. He signed the order to create these forces on February 6, 2024, and the Cabinet of Ministers approved the decision on May 7, 2024. Subsequently, on June 25, 2024, the Unmanned Systems Forces officially became an independent branch of the armed forces.

This information highlights Ukraine’s intensifying military actions in the context of the war with Russia, focusing on drone technology as a cornerstone of its strategic plan. Strengthening control over vital transport corridors like the ‘Novorossiya’ highway could significantly hinder Russian logistics in the region, potentially shifting the balance of power in the conflict. The establishment of the Unmanned Systems Forces Day will serve as a symbol of Ukraine’s growing military innovation and underscore the importance of unmanned technologies in modern combat.

As Ukraine intensifies its efforts to isolate Crimea, it's essential to recognize the significance of the newly established Unmanned Systems Forces. This strategic move not only aims to enhance military capabilities but also marks a pivotal moment in Ukraine's defense strategy. For more insights on this development and the upcoming celebration of the Day of Unmanned Systems Forces, read more about the official decree designating June 11 as a national holiday.