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Ukrainian Drones Cut Cargo Traffic on Russia’s Crimea Supply Route by 71%
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Ukrainian drones have sharply reduced cargo traffic on a key Russian-controlled road corridor to temporarily occupied Crimea, cutting vehicle flow by 71% in two weeks, Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said on July 9.
According to Brovdi, the command of Russia’s Vostok grouping banned military cargo traffic on the Mariupol–Berdiansk–Melitopol–Simferopol route starting June 7 because Ukrainian drones had established fire control over the road.
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Over two weeks, cargo traffic on the route reportedly fell from 3,800 to 1,100 vehicles per day. Russian forces were ordered to switch to bypass roads and alternative routes.
Madyar said the situation does not yet amount to a full blockade, but added that the first land supply artery to Crimea is already facing serious “inconvenience.”
According to the cited Russian order, Ukrainian forces are using fire control against the R-280 Novorossiya highway, also described as the northern road route, and the A-291 Tavrida highway.
“The enemy is exercising fire control over the R-280 Novorossiya highways (Northern automobile route) and A-291 Tavrida. It systematically strikes motor vehicles transporting material assets in the interests of formations and military units, the Republic of Crimea, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions,” the order reads.
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The document says the restrictions were imposed to protect Russian personnel, transport, and military cargo from further losses.
“In order to ensure the safe and timely transportation of material assets, prevent irrecoverable losses of personnel and motor vehicles, and fulfill the requirements of combat order of the Vostok Grouping No… dated June 6, 2026, the commander of the formation ORDERED:
1. From June 7, 2026, until further special instructions, prohibit the use of the A-291 Tavrida and R-280 Novorossiya roads for the transportation of material assets.
Transportation of material assets in the interests of formations and military units shall be carried out along existing reserve routes, as well as possible bypass roads and detours.”
The route is one of Russia’s key land logistics arteries connecting parts of southern Ukraine with Crimea. It is used to move supplies, fuel, ammunition, equipment, and other military cargo between Russian-controlled areas of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions, and the temporarily occupied peninsula.
The reported drop in traffic suggests that Ukrainian drone operations are increasingly affecting not only individual Russian vehicles but the broader logistics system supporting Russian forces in southern Ukraine and Crimea.
By forcing Russian cargo traffic away from major roads and onto longer, less efficient bypass routes, Ukrainian drones can slow deliveries, increase fuel use, complicate planning, and make supply vehicles more vulnerable to further strikes.
Earlier, reports emerged that Russian forces operating in the temporarily occupied Ukraine and Crimea began disguising military logistics vehicles as civilian trucks and using civilian transport for fuel deliveries.
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