_Kyiv, Dec 10 2025_ — In the past two weeks, Ukraine’s defense and intelligence units have launched a series of precision drone and missile attacks deep into Russian‑occupied Crimea, destroying at least eight key military assets and disrupting logistics that support Moscow’s war effort in southern Ukraine.The operationsAccording to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) and the Prymary unit, the strikes targeted a Russian Su‑24 front‑line bomber, an Orion reconnaissance‑strike UAV, three radar installations (including the 39N6 Kasta‑2E2 and 48Ya6‑K1 Podlet radars), an antenna inside a radiotransparent dome, a freight train carrying ammunition, and an Ural military truck. The attacks also hit a Shahed‑type drone storage and launch hub near Cape Chauda, a crucial node for Russia’s long‑range UAV assaults on Ukrainian cities.Immediate impact- Air capability loss: Removing the Su‑24 reduces Russia’s strike capacity over the Black Sea and southern front.- Radar and air‑defence crippled: Destruction of Kasta‑2E2 and Podlet radars weakens early‑warning and command‑control systems, exposing S‑300/S‑400 batteries to follow‑up hits.- Logistics disruption: The freight train and Ural truck losses hamper ammunition and supply movement, forcing Russian forces to stretch already strained supply lines.- UAV setback: The Orion drone loss cuts Russian deep‑reconnaissance assets, limiting situational awareness.Casualties and claimsOfficial Ukrainian statements note no confirmed civilian deaths; the focus is on military infrastructure. Russian‑occupied Crimea reported explosions in Simferopol, Bakhchysarai district and Ai‑Petri mountain on Dec 9, though independent verification remains limited .Broader contextThese strikes fit a pattern of “combined‑effects” strategy: hit air defence, radar, logistics, and command nodes to degrade Russia’s ability to sustain operations in Crimea and the Sea of Azov. Analysts say the tempo—eight hits in 14 days—signals improved coordination between Ukraine’s Navy, Special Operations Forces and partisan networks on the peninsula .President Zelensky recently acknowledged the difficulty of reclaiming Crimea militarily but reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to pressure occupation forces through sustained attacks .What’s nextUkrainian officials warn that more “deep‑strike” missions are planned, targeting fuel depots, ammunition caches and communication hubs. The aim: raise the cost for Russia to maintain its foothold in Crimea and force diplomatic concessions.Result: While full liberation remains a long‑term goal, the recent wave of strikes has visibly dented Russia’s operational capacity in Crimea, eroded its air‑defence umbrella, and disrupted vital supply routes—key steps toward weakening the occupation’s grip.
